State-based remote control system
DCFirst Claim
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 Assignments
Litigations
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
-
Citations
35 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
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. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
-
-
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. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
(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. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
-
-
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. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
-
-
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. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
-
-
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. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
-
-
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. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35)
-
Specification