State-based remote control system

• US 6,784,805 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2001
• Issued: 08/31/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Original Assignee: Intrigue Technologies Inc (Logitech International SA)
• Inventors: Henry, Justin M., Harris, Glen McLean
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): BANGACHON, WILLIAM L
• Application Number:
  US09/804,718
• Publication Number:
  US 20010045819A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,268 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/825.49, 340/310.06, 340/825.37, 340/3.2, 340/3.1, 700/83, 398/1, 398/106, 398/115, 398/126, 398/127, 219/497, 219/413, 219/483
• US Class Current: 340/12.22
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/00 Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/28 using pulse code
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/21 Programming remote control devices via third means
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/50 Receiving or transmitting feedback, e.g. replies, status updates, acknowledgements, from the controlled devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/92 Universal remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2814 Exchanging control software or macros for controlling appliance services in a home automation network arrangements for maintenance or administration involving configuration of the network and network elements H04L41/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204

Abstract

A state-based remote control system for providing efficient and simple operation of a plurality of electronic devices as a coordinated system based upon an overall task. The state-based remote control system includes a housing, a keypad in communication with an electronic system contained within the housing, and a communication device in communication with the electronic system for communicating with external electronic devices. The electronic system monitors the buttons selected by a user to determine the state of all external electronic devices that are to be controlled. When the user selects a task (e.g. watch television), the electronic system automatically determines the actions required to achieve the desired task based upon the current state of the external electronic devices. After the task has been fulfilled, the electronic system updates the data to reflect the modified state of the external electronic devices.

Claims

1. A state-based remote control system, comprising:

an electronic system capable of storing, calculating and updating a simulated current state data relating to at least one external electronic device;

a communication device connected to said electronic system for emitting a control signal to said at least one external electronic device; and

an input unit connected to said electronic system for communicating with said electronic system;

wherein said simulated current state data is calculated based upon at least one action performed by said electronic system in controlling said at least one electronic device.

2. The state-based remote control system of claim 1, wherein said input unit includes a keypad having a plurality of buttons.

3. The state-based remote control system of claim 2, wherein said input unit includes a display.

4. The state-based remote control system of claim 1, wherein said electronic system is capable of performing tasks based upon a desired state data as compared to said simulated current state data.

5. The state-based remote control system of claim 1, wherein said electronic system only modifies a state of an electronic device that has a simulated current state that does not match a desired state.

6. The state-based remote control system of claim 1, wherein said communication device is able to transmit and receive data.

7. The state-based remote control system of claim 1, wherein said electronic system is programmable to allow for the control of a plurality of external electronic devices.

8. A method of operating a state-based remote control system having an electronic system with a communication device and an input device for controlling at least one external electronic device, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) determining a simulated current state data of said at least one external electronic device;

(b) receiving an action request from said input device with respect to said at least one external electronic device;

(c) performing said action request by communicating to said at least one external electronic device; and

(d) modifying said simulated current state data to reflect a new state of said at least one external electronic device based upon said action request.

9. The method of operating a state-based remote control system of claim 8, wherein said step (a) comprises asking a series of questions of a user regarding the current state of each of said external electronic devices.

10. The method of operating a state-based remote control system of claim 8, wherein said step (a) comprises assuming all of said external electronic devices are in a predetermined current state.

11. A method of operating a state-based remote control system having an electronic system with a communication device and an input device for controlling a at least one external electronic device, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) determining a simulated current state data of said at least one external electronic device;

(b) receiving a task request from said input device with respect to said at least one external electronic device, wherein said task request has a desired state data stored within said electronic system;

(c) determining which of said external electronic devices require a modification to their respective state in order to achieve said desired state data; and

(d) modifying at least one selected external electronic device to conform to said desired state data.

12. The method of operating a state-based remote control system of claim 11, including the following step:

(e) updating said simulated current state data to reflect a new state of said at least one selected external electronic device.

13. The method of operating a state-based remote control system of claim 11, wherein said step (a) comprises asking a series of questions of a user regarding an actual current state of each of said at least one external electronic device.

14. The method of operating a state-based remote control system of claim 11, wherein said step (a) comprises assuming said at least one external electronic device is in a predetermined current state.

15. The method of operating a state-based remote control system of claim 11, wherein said step (c) comprises comparing said simulated current state data with said desired state data.

16. The method of operating a state-based remote control system of claim 11, including the step of:

(e) displaying a menu containing at least one task that are dependent upon a state of said at least one external electronic device.

17. A remote control apparatus, comprising:

a means for storing, calculating and updating a simulated current state data relating to at least one external electronic device, wherein said simulated current state data is calculated based upon at least one action performed in controlling said at least one electronic device;

a communication device in communication with said means, wherein said communication device is capable of emitting at least one control signal to said at least one external electronic device; and

an input device in communication with said means.

18. The remote control apparatus of claim 17, wherein said means is capable of performing tasks based upon a desired state data as compared to said simulated current state data.

19. The remote control system of claim 17, wherein said means only modifies a state of one or more electronic devices that has a simulated current state that does not match a desired state.

20. A remote control apparatus, comprising:

an electronic circuit for storing, calculating and updating a simulated current state data relating to at least one external electronic device, wherein said simulated current state data is calculated based upon at least one action performed in controlling said at least one electronic device;

a communication device in communication with said electronic circuit, wherein said communication device is capable of emitting at least one control signal to said at least one external electronic device; and

an input device in communication with said electronic circuit.

21. The remote control apparatus of claim 20, wherein said electronic circuit is capable of performing tasks based upon a desired state data as compared to said simulated current state data.

22. The remote control system of claim 20, wherein said electronic circuit only modifies a state of one or more electronic devices that has a simulated current state that does not match a desired state.

23. A method of operating a remote control for controlling at least one electronic device, said method comprising the steps of:

determining a simulated current state data of said at least one electronic device;

receiving an action request from said input device with respect to said at least one electronic device;

performing said action request by communicating to said at least one external electronic device; and

modifying said simulated current state data to reflect a new state of said at least one external electronic device based upon said action request.

24. The method of operating a remote control system of claim 23, wherein said step of determining a simulated current state data comprises asking a series of questions of a user regarding the current state of said at least one electronic device.

25. The method of operating a remote control system of claim 23, wherein said step of determining a simulated current state data comprises assuming said at least one electronic device is in a predetermined current state.

26. A method of operating a remote control system for controlling at least one electronic device, said method comprising the steps of:

determining a simulated current state data of said at least one electronic device;

receiving a task request for said at least one electronic device, wherein said task request has a desired state data;

determining if said at least one electronic device requires a modification to its respective state in order to achieve said desired state data; and

modifying a selected electronic device to conform to said desired state data if a modification of state is required.

27. The method of operating a remote control system of claim 26, including updating said simulated current state data to reflect a new state of said selected electronic device.

28. The method of operating a remote control system of claim 26, wherein said step of determining a simulated current state data comprises asking a series of questions of a user regarding an actual current state of each of said at least one external electronic device.

29. The method of operating a remote control system of claim 26, wherein said step of determining a simulated current state data comprises assuming said at least one external electronic device is in a predetermined initial current state.

30. The method of operating a remote control system of claim 26, wherein said step of determining if said at least one electronic device requires a modification comprises comparing said simulated current state data with said desired state data.

31. The method of operating a remote control system of claim 26, including the step of displaying a menu containing at least one task that is dependent upon a state of said at least one electronic device.

32. A method of operating a remote control system for controlling at least one electronic device, said method comprising the steps of:

determining a simulated current state data of said at least one electronic device;

receiving a task request for said at least one electronic device, wherein said task request has a desired state data;

determining if said at least one electronic device requires a modification to its respective state in order to achieve said desired state data based upon a comparison of said simulated current state data with said desired state data;

modifying a selected electronic device to conform to said desired state data if a modification of state is required; and

updating said simulated current state data to reflect a new state of said selected electronic device.

33. The method of operating a remote control system of claim 32, wherein said step of determining a simulated current state data comprises asking a series of questions of a user regarding an actual current state of each of said at least one external electronic device.

34. The method of operating a remote control system of claim 32, wherein said step of determining a simulated current state data comprises assuming said at least one external electronic device is in a predetermined initial current state.

35. The method of operating a remote control system of claim 32, including the step of displaying a menu containing at least one task that is dependent upon a state of said at least one electronic device.