Universal remote control system

• US 6,968,570 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2001
• Issued: 11/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Hayes, Patrick H., Campbell, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grant, Chris
• Assistant Examiner(s): Koenig, Andrew Y.
• Application Number:
  US09/796,406
• Publication Number:
  US 20010008431A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,728 Days
• Field of Search: 725/153, 348/734
• US Class Current: 725/153
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/28 using pulse code
• 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 21/42206 characterized by hardware details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42213 for facilitating data entry
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42225 characterized by types of remote control, e.g. universal remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42226 Reprogrammable remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application

Abstract

A remote control adapted for use with a releasable readable media storage device. A readable media storage device having data and target indicators. Electrical contacts provide releasable connection with the remote control.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a releasable media device; and

a hand-held unit for commanding operations of one or more home appliances comprising a microprocessor;

a port in communication with the microprocessor in which the releasable media device is positionable, the port allowing the microprocessor to read data from the releasable media device; and

a memory in communication with the microprocessor;

wherein the releasable media and the memory have a similar electrical interface which allows common pins of the microprocessor to be used to communicate with both the releasable media device and the memory and wherein the microprocessor comprises an input/output pin used to enable an output clock signal of the releasable media device and programing for toggling the input/output pin between a first state and a second state to enable and disable the releasable media device, respectively.

2. A remote control for commanding operations of one or more home appliances adapted for use with a releasable media device, comprising:

a microprocessor;

a port in communication with the microprocessor in which the releasable media device is positionable, the port allowing the microprocessor to read data from the releasable media device; and

a memory in communication with the microprocessor;

wherein the releasable media and the memory have a similar electrical interface which allows common pins of the microprocessor to be used to communicate with both the releasable media device and the memory and wherein the microprocessor comprises an input/output pin used to enable an output clock signal of the releasable media device and programming for toggling the input/output pin between a first state and a second state to enable and disable the releasable media device, respectively.