System and method for creating a controlling device

• US 6,785,579 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2003
• Issued: 08/31/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Huang, Steve Lan-Ping, Nguyen, Kim-Thoa Thi, Do, My Thien, Cao, JianJun, Yuh, Han-Sheng
• Primary Examiner(s): Knight, Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, THOMAS K
• Application Number:
  US10/463,153
• Publication Number:
  US 20030233664A1
• Time in Patent Office: 441 Days
• Field of Search: 700/65, 700/2, 700/66, 700/83, 700/84, 359/148, 379/102.01, 379/102.02, 379/102.03, 341/23, 345/171-172, 345/158, 345/740, 345/741, 345/2.1, 345/2.3, 345/168-169
• US Class Current: 700/65
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/28 using pulse code
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/92 Universal remote control

Abstract

A system and method for creating a controlling device. In response to a user specifying one or more operating criteria for the controlling device, the system selects executable instructions from a library of executable instructions and command code sets from a library of command code sets that are to be stored in the memory of the controlling device. In addition, the system uses the criteria to suggest command key/command code mappings for use within the controlling device. The user may interact with the system to modify the selected executable instructions, command code sets, and command key/command code mappings. When stored in the memory of the controlling device, the executable instructions are to be used to perform various operations and functions within the controlling device and the command codes are to be transmitted from the controlling device to command the operation of controllable devices in response to activation of one or more of the command keys.

Claims

1. A method for creating a controlling device having a memory, comprising:

accepting via a user interface input that functions to specify a plurality of different controllable devices whereby command code sets from a library of command code sets that are remote from the controlling device and which are appropriate for commanding operations of the plurality of different controllable devices are selected as a function of the input for inclusion into a build adapted to be downloaded into the memory of the controlling device;

displaying via the user interface an estimated memory utilization of the build;

displaying via the user interface an option which is selectable to enable modification of which command code sets are included in the build to thereby modify the estimated memory utilization of the build; and

displaying via the user interface an option which is selectable to cause downloading of the build for inclusion into the memory of the controlling device.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the command codes selected are appropriate for commanding devices within a geographic region.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the command codes selected cover an install base of a type of consumer appliance.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the build further comprises instructions for operating the controlling device.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the build further comprises a mapping between keys of the remote control and command codes.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the build further comprises identifiers which are assigned to predetermined subsets of the selected command codes.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising accepting input via the user interface for mapping command codes to command keys of the controlling device.

8. The method as recited in claim 7, comprising accepting input via the user interface for configuring a layout of the command keys.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the user interface provides drag and drop capabilities.

10. A method for using a network enabled computing interface to access instructions for use in creating a controlling device having a memory, comprising:

accepting via the network enabled computing interface input that functions to specify a plurality of different controllable devices whereby command code sets from a library of command code sets that are remote from the controlling device and which are appropriate for commanding operations of the plurality of different controllable devices are selected by the instructions as a function of the input for inclusion into a build adapted to be downloaded into the memory of the controlling device;

displaying via the network enabled user interface an estimated memory utilization for the build as determined by the instructions;

displaying via the network enabled user interface an option which is selectable to enable modification of which command code sets are included in the build to thereby modify the estimated memory utilization of the build; and

displaying via the network enabled user interface an option which is selectable to cause downloading of the build for inclusion into the memory of the controlling device.

11. The method as in claim 10, wherein the network enabled computing interface comprises a graphical user interface.

12. The method as in claim 11, wherein the user interface is located remotely from the instructions.