Portable internet-enabled controller and information browser for consumer devices

• US 6,882,299 B1
• Filed: 01/14/2000
• Issued: 04/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Research Investment Network Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Research Investment Network Incorporated
• Inventors: Allport, David E.
• Primary Examiner(s): EDWARDS JR, TIMOTHY
• Application Number:
  US09/483,577
• Time in Patent Office: 1,922 Days
• Field of Search: 341/176, 345/156, 345/158, 345/173, 348/734, 359/142
• US Class Current: 341/176
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/403 Connection between platform and handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1671 Special purpose buttons or auxiliary keyboards, e.g. retractable mini keypads, keypads or buttons that remain accessible at closed laptop G06F1/1666 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/169 the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/21 Programming remote control devices via third means
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/33 Remote control using macros, scripts
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/92 Universal remote control
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2545 CDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/41 Flat as opposed to hierarchical combination, e.g. library of tapes or discs, CD changer, or groups of record carriers that together store one title
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/65 wherein solid state memory is used for storing indexing information or metadata
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/90 Tape-like record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/002 Programmed access in sequence to a plurality of record carriers or indexed parts, e.g. tracks, thereof, e.g. for editing; transfer of record carriers from magazine G11B15/68, G11B17/10; G11B17/22
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/107 of operating tapes
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/11 by using information not detectable on the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/202 : by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4117 : for generating hard copies of the content, e.g. printer, electronic paper interfaces to printers G06F3/12; printing data G06K15/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 : User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42209 : for displaying non-command information, e.g. electronic program guide [EPG], e-mail, messages or a second television channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4221 : Dedicated function buttons, e.g. for the control of an EPG, subtitles, aspect ratio, picture-in-picture or teletext
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42221 : Transmission circuitry, e.g. infrared [IR] or radio frequency [RF]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42222 : Additional components integrated in the remote control device, e.g. timer, speaker, sensors for detecting position, direction or movement of the remote control, microphone or battery charging device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42224 : Touch pad or touch panel provided on the remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42226 : Reprogrammable remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 : Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43632 : involving a wired protocol, e.g. IEEE 1394 high-speed IEEE 1394 serial bus H04L12/40052
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 : End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 : for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47217 : for controlling playback functions for recorded or on-demand content, e.g. using progress bars, mode or play-point indicators or bookmarks specific graphical features in visual interfaces H04N21/4312
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4755 : for defining user preferences, e.g. favourite actors or genre retrieval personalisation and generation of user profiles for the retrieval of video data G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 : End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 : End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8186 : specially adapted to be executed by a peripheral of the client device, e.g. by a reprogrammable remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/088 : the inserted signal being digital
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/14 : Systems for two-way working H04N7/12, H04N7/173 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 : Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only

Abstract

A remote control uses IR (infrared) commands to control various consumer appliances made by various manufactures. The remote control is low-cost, consumer-friendly, programmable, has its own graphical display so it does not interfere with a TV or other viewing screen, and is capable of interacting with the internet or other data source to provide a rich set of functionality.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a device that responds to a set of infrared (IR) commands comprising the steps of:

providing a remote control capable of sending IR commands, the remote control having a memory, a touch screen, and a graphical display;

accessing title-based descriptions stored in the memory of the remote control, sorting the title based descriptions, and displaying the title based descriptions on the display, said title-based descriptions comprising a first title-based description; and

identifying an IR command sequence to be sent to the device from the remote control to cause the device to play a program associated with the first title-based description, said identification occurring in response to activation of an area on the touch screen corresponding to the first title-based description.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the title-based descriptions are loaded into the memory of the remote control from the internet.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of loading the title-based descriptions into the memory of the remote control from a memory of a PC.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the title-based descriptions comprise broadcast TV program names and corresponding broadcast times.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the title-based descriptions comprise the title of a music CD album, the title of each song on the CD album, and the corresponding duration of each song title.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the remote control further comprises an IrDA port for wireless access to an outside data source.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the remote control further comprises an RS232 port for wired access to an outside data source.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the remote control further comprises a modem port for wired access to an outside data source.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the remote control further comprises a USB port for wired access to an outside data source.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the remote control further comprises at least two actuating buttons.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein at least one of the at least two buttons is a graphical button that appears on the graphical display.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein identification of functions associated with the at least two actuating buttons are displayed on the graphical display.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of sending the identified IR command sequence from the device to the remote control in response to a signal from a real time clock within the remote control.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of loading the predetermined set of IR commands into the memory of the remote control.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the remote control is programmable, and further comprising the steps of programming the remote control to:

determine an identity of a first user based upon first information entered into the memory of the remote control;

present second information on the graphical display in response to the first information;

activate the remote control for use in controlling the device, in response to selection of the second information, said use being associated with the first user; and

present on the graphical display a subset of the title-based descriptions, said subset being dependent upon the first information.

16. A method of using a remote control having a memory, hardware for sending infrared (IR) commands, a touch screen, and an integrated graphical display, to select a program to be played, and to have the program played on a device that responds to IR commands, comprising the steps of:

accessing title-based descriptions stored in the memory of the remote control, said title-based descriptions comprising a first title-based description associated with a first program;

sorting the title-based descriptions;

browsing the title-based descriptions on the graphical display;

activating an area on the touch screen corresponding to the first title-based description, said area being associated with a first IR command sequence stored in the memory of the remote control sufficient to effect play of the first program when sent to the device; and

sending the first IR command sequence to the device.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of programming the remote control to define screen layouts used to present the title-based descriptions on the graphical display.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the first IR command sequence is sent in response to a signal from a real time clock within the remote control.

19. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of programming the remote control to allow selection of tasks required to select the first program.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the steps of displaying help information associated with a first screen in response to activation and deactivation of a help button associated with the remote control, said activation and deactivation occurring while the first screen is being displayed on the graphical display.

21. A method of using a remote control having a memory, hardware for sending infrared (IR) commands, and an integrated graphical display, to select a program to be played, and to have the program played on a device that responds to commands from a base station, comprising the steps of:

accessing title-based descriptions stored in the memory of the remote control, said title-based descriptions comprising a first title-based description associated with a first program;

sorting the title-based descriptions;

displaying the title-based descriptions on the graphical display;

identifying an IR command sequence to send to the base station to cause the base station to send a proper command sequence to the device to effect play of the first program, said identification occurring in response to selection of the first title-based description from the displayed title-based descriptions.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the first title-based description is selected by activating an area on a touch screen overlaying the graphical display, said area corresponding to the first program and having associated therewith the identified IR command sequence.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising the step of sending the identified IR command sequence to the base station in response to activating the area.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of sending the proper command sequence from the base station to the device.

25. A system for controlling a plurality of consumer devices that respond to infrared (IR) commands, the system comprising a programmable remote control comprising:

hardware inside said remote control capable of sending IR commands;

an integrated graphical display on said remote control capable of displaying sorted title-based descriptions;

a touch screen overlaying the integrated graphical display;

integrated software programmed to present a set of screens on the graphical display for navigating through available program options;

at least one port on said remote control for communicating with an external data source;

a memory in said remote control; and

at least two physical actuating buttons on said remote control one of said actuating buttons capable of selection one or more of said sorted title-based descriptions.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein the at least one port is an IrDA port for wireless access to the external data source.

27. The system of claim 25 wherein the at least one port is an RS232 port for wired access to the external data source.

28. The system of claim 25 wherein the at least one port is a modem port for wired access to the external data source.

29. The system of claim 25 wherein the at least one port is a USB port for wired access to the external data source.

30. The system of claim 25 further comprising a CD drive.

31. The system of claim 25 wherein functions associated with the at least two physical actuating buttons are displayed on the graphical display.

32. The remote control of claim 25 further comprising a help button which activates help information associated with a first screen when the help button is activated and then deactivated while the first screen is displayed on the graphical display, and wherein the help button activates help information associated with a second button when the second button is selected while the help button is activated.

33. The system of claim 25, wherein the remote control is battery-powered and wherein the memory stores IR commands for controlling the consumer devices, the system further comprising a docking station having a battery charger for recharging batteries used to supply power to the remote control.

34. The system of claim 33 wherein the docking station further comprises a CD drive.

35. The system of claim 33 wherein the docking station further comprises a printer.

36. The system of claim 25 wherein the integrated software is further programmed to load title-based descriptions into the memory of the remote control from the external data source, said title-based descriptions corresponding to programs.

37. The system of claim 36 wherein the title-based descriptions comprise a first title associated with a first program, and wherein the integrated software is programmed to associate a first IR command sequence with the first title-based description, said first IR command sequence effecting play of the first program when executed.

38. The system of claim 33 wherein the docking station further comprises a port for communicating with an external data source.

39. The system of claim 38 wherein the docking station further comprises a CD drive.

40. A method of using a remote control having a memory, hardware for sending infrared (IR) commands, a touch screen, and an integrated graphical display, to select a program to be played, and to have the program played on a device that responds to IR commands, comprising the steps of:

accessing title-based descriptions from the memory of the remote control, said title-based descriptions comprising a first title-based description associated with a first program;

browsing the title-based descriptions on the graphical display;

activating an area on the touch screen corresponding to the first title-based description, said area being associated with a first IR command sequence stored in the memory of the remote control sufficient to effect play of the first program when sent to the device;

sending the first IR command sequence to the device; and

programming the remote control to define screen layouts used to present the title-based descriptions on the graphical display.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the remote control is programmable, and further comprising the steps of programming the remote control to:

determine an identity of a first user based upon first information entered into the memory of the remote control;

present second information on the graphical display in response to the first information;

activate the remote control for use in controlling the device, in response to selection of the second information, said use being associated with the first user; and

present on the graphical display a subset of the title-based descriptions, said subset being dependent upon the first information.

42. A method of using a remote control having a memory, hardware for sending infrared (IR) commands, a touch screen, and an integrated graphical display, to select a program to be played, and to have the program played on a device that responds to IR commands, comprising the steps of:

accessing title-based descriptions from the memory of the remote control, said title-based descriptions comprising a first title-based description associated with a first program;

browsing the title-based descriptions on the graphical display;

activating an area on the touch screen corresponding to the first title-based description, said area being associated with a first IR command sequence stored in the memory of the remote control sufficient to effect play of the first program when sent to the device;

sending the first IR command sequence to the device; and

programming the remote control to allow selection of tasks required to select the first program.

43. A system for controlling a plurality of consumer devices that respond to infrared (IR) commands, the system comprising a programmable remote control comprising:

hardware capable of sending IR commands;

an integrated graphical display;

a touch screen overlaying the integrated graphical display;

integrated software programmed to present a set of screens on the graphical display for navigating through available program options;

at least one port for communicating with an external data source;

a memory;

a docking station having at least a battery charger for recharging batteries used to supply power to the remote control and a CD drive; and

at least two physical actuating buttons,

wherein the remote control is battery-powered and wherein the memory stores IR commands for controlling the consumer devices.

44. A system for controlling a plurality of consumer devices that respond to infrared (IR) commands, the system comprising a programmable remote control comprising:

hardware capable of sending IR commands;

an integrated graphical display;

a touch screen overlaying the integrated graphical display;

integrated software programmed to present a set of screens on the graphical display for navigating through available program options;

at least one port for communicating with an external data source;

a memory;

a docking station having at least a battery charger for recharging batteries used to supply power to the remote control and a printer; and

at least two physical actuating buttons,

wherein the remote control is battery-powered and wherein the memory stores IR commands for controlling the consumer devices.

45. A system for controlling a plurality of consumer devices that respond to infrared (IR) commands, the system comprising a programmable remote control comprising:

hardware capable of sending IR commands;

an integrated graphical display;

a touch screen overlaying the integrated graphical display;

integrated software programmed to present a set of screens on the graphical display for navigating through available program options;

a memory;

a docking station having a battery charger for recharging batteries used to supply power to the remote control and at least one port for communicating with an external data source;

an optical disc drive; and

at least two physical actuating buttons,

wherein the remote control is battery-powered and wherein the memory stores IR commands for controlling the consumer devices.

46. The system of claim 45 wherein the docking station further comprises a CD drive.