Universal remote control system

• US 7,010,805 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2001
• Issued: 03/07/2006
• 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, Christopher
• Assistant Examiner(s): Koenig, Andrew Y
• Application Number:
  US09/793,816
• Publication Number:
  US 20010009038A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,833 Days
• Field of Search: 725/153, 348/734, 726/9, 726/20, 370/486, 370/487
• 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 media storage device for use with a control device for controlling at least one of a plurality of electronic device, the storage device comprising:

at least one device code for programming the control device to operate an electronic device; and

a header having a target indicator for storing the device code in the control device at a memory location in the control device, whereby the memory location is determined by the control device according to the target indicator.

2. The media storage device of claim 1, wherein the target indicator comprises a purpose associated with operating the electronic device.

3. The media storage device of claim 1, wherein the device code is used to command an extended function of an appliance.

4. The media storage device of claim 3, wherein the extended function is at least one selected from a group consisting of PIP control, menu control, and surround sound control.

5. A system comprising:

a releasable media device; and

a hand-held unit for commanding functions 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 having a pre-stored library of commands for use in commanding base functions of an electronic device;

wherein the releasable media device has information stored in a predetermined format comprising a header portion and a data portion in which the data portion comprises at least one supplemental command for use in commanding an extended function of the electronic device and the header portion comprises a target indicator which is used by the microprocessor to add the supplemental command to the library of commands pre-stored in memory to thereby allow the hand-held unit to command both base functions and extended functions of the electronic device.

6. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein the extended function is at least one selected from a group consisting of PIP control, menu control, and surround sound control.