System and method for creating a controlling device

• US 6,829,512 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2003
• Issued: 12/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Yuh, Han-Sheng, Huang, Steve Lan-Ping, Nguyen, Kim-Thoa Thi, Do, My Thien, Cao, JianJun
• Primary Examiner(s): Knight, Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pham, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US10/702,384
• Publication Number:
  US 20040093096A1
• Time in Patent Office: 398 Days
• Field of Search: 345/2.1, 345/2.3, 345/158, 345/168, 345/172, 345/169, 345/740, 345/741, 345/171, 359/148, 379/102.01, 379/102.02, 379/102.03, 700/83, 700/17, 700/86, 700/87, 700/88, 700/65, 700/66, 700/84, 341/176, 340/825.22, 340/825.69
• 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. Computer-readable instructions for interacting with a system having programming used to create a controlling device having a memory, wherein the instructions perform steps comprising:

accepting user input which specifies a target market region in which the controlling device is to be used, the user input being provided to the system to cause the programming to select command code sets from a library of command code sets as a function of the specified target market region for possible inclusion in the memory of the controlling device; and

displaying an estimated memory utilization of the selected command code sets as determined by the programming of the system.

2. The computer-readable instructions as in claim 1, wherein the instructions perform the further step of displaying a graphical user interface for accepting user input.

3. The computer-readable instructions as in claim 1, wherein the instructions perform the further step of displaying selectable memory sizes such that a selected memory size is provided to the system for use by the programming in determining the estimated memory utilization.

4. The computer-readable instructions as in claim 1, wherein the instructions perform the further step of accepting user input to remove command codes from the selected command code sets.

5. The computer-readable instructions as in claim 1, wherein the instructions perform the further step of accepting user input to add command codes to the selected command code sets.

6. The computer-readable instructions as in claim 1, wherein the instructions perform the further step of accepting user input to assign command codes from the selected command code sets to keys of the controlling device.

7. The computer-readable instructions as in claim 2, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a menu displaying selectable target market regions.

8. A system for creating a controlling device having a memory, comprising:

a user interface in communication with a computer readable media to accept input that specifies a target market region in which the controlling device is to be used whereby command code sets from a library of command code sets that are remote from the controlling device are selected as a function of the input for possible inclusion in the memory of the controlling device; and

a display to present an estimated memory utilization of the selected command code sets to the user.

9. The system as in claim 8, wherein the user interface is remotely located with respect to the computer readable media.

10. The system as in claim 8, wherein the display further presents information to the user that the selected command code sets are available for inclusion in the memory of the controlling device when the estimated memory utilization of the selected command code sets indicates that the memory can accommodate the selected command code sets.

11. The system in claim 8, wherein the computer readable media comprises a network enabled software application such that a plurality of users may access the software application substantially simultaneously.

12. The system as in claim 11, wherein the software application is Internet accessible.

13. Computer-readable instructions for interacting with a system having programming used to create a controlling device having a memory, wherein the instructions perform steps comprising:

accepting user input which functions to specify to the programming of the system which command code sets from a library of command code sets to select for possible inclusion in the memory of the controlling device; and

displaying an estimated memory utilization of the selected command code sets as determined by the programming of the system.

14. The computer-readable instructions as in claim 13, wherein the instructions perform the further step of displaying a graphical user interface for accepting user input.

15. The computer-readable instructions as in claim 13, wherein the instructions perform the further step of displaying selectable memory sizes such that a selected memory size is provided to the system for use by the programming in determining the estimated memory utilization.

16. The computer-readable instructions as in claim 13, wherein the instructions perform the further step of accepting user input to remove command codes from the selected command code sets.

17. The computer-readable instructions as in claim 13, wherein the instructions perform the further step of accepting user input to add command codes to the selected command code sets.

18. The computer-readable instructions as in claim 13, wherein the instructions perform the further step of accepting user input to assign command codes from the selected command code sets to keys of the controlling device.

19. The computer-readable instructions as in claim 14, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a menu displaying selectable target appliances.

20. Computer-readable instructions for interacting with a system having programming used to create a controlling device having a memory, wherein the instructions perform steps comprising:

accepting user input which specifies a target market region in which the controlling device is to be used, the user input being provided to the system to cause the programming to select command code sets from a library of command code sets as a function of the specified target market region; and

placing the selected command code sets into a build to be downloaded for use in the controlling device.

21. The computer-readable instructions as in claim 20, wherein the instructions perform the further step of displaying a graphical user interface for accepting user input.

22. The computer-readable instructions as in claim 20, wherein the instructions perform the further step of accepting user input to remove command codes from the selected command code sets.

23. The computer-readable instructions as in claim 20, wherein the instructions perform the further step of accepting user input to add command codes to the selected command code sets.

24. The computer-readable instructions as in claim 20, wherein the instructions perform the further step of accepting user input to assign command codes from the selected command code sets to keys of the controlling device and wherein command code and key assignments are included in the build.

25. The computer-readable instructions in claim 21, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a menu displaying selectable target market regions.