Universal remote control system

• US 7,268,694 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2005
• Issued: 09/11/2007
• 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): ZIMMERMAN, BRIAN A
• Application Number:
  US11/268,252
• Publication Number:
  US 20060055554A1
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/825.24, 340/825.25, 340/825.22, 348/734, 725/28
• US Class Current: 340/4.3
• 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 controlling device having keys actuatable to emit signals to a consumer appliance and a releasable media storage device having data which is readable by the controlling device. At the controlling device at least a subset of the keys of the controlling device are selectively enabled or disabled as a function of the data read from the releasable media storage device. The releasable media storage device thus limits the ability of a user to interact with the consumer appliance via actuation of certain of the subset of keys of the controlling device.

Claims

1. A system for controlling a device, comprising:

a controlling device having a memory in which is stored a library of commands for controlling operational function of the device and keys actuatable to emit one or more commands selected from the library to the device; and

a releasable media storage device having data which is readable by the controlling device;

wherein the library of commands is pre-stored in the memory at a point in time prior to the controlling device reading any data from the releasable media storage device and wherein, when the controlling device is placed into a mode for transmitting commands to the device, at least a subset of the keys of the controlling device are selectively enabled or disabled as a function of the data read from the releasable media storage device to thereby limit a user'"'"'s ability to emit one or more commands selected from the library of commands pre-stored in the memory to the device in response to actuation of the subset of keys.

2. A method for controlling access to media, comprising:

reading with a first device adaptable to provide access to the media first data stored on a releasable media storage device;

using the first data read from the releasable media storage device by the first device to enable the first device to provide access to the media;

reading second data from the releasable media storage device with a controlling device having keys actuatable to emit signals to the device; and

using the second data read from the media storage device by the controlling device to enable the controlling device to transmit one or more signals to the first device in response to actuation of one or more keys of the controlling device, the one or more signals being used to control the first device for the purpose of accessing the enabled media.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the media comprises television viewable programming.

4. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the one or more signals comprise signals for tuning the first device.

5. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the media comprises a cable broadcast channel.

6. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the media comprises a satellite broadcast channel.

7. A system for programming a remote control having a button activatable to transmit a signal to a home appliance to signify a request to view limited-access programming in a channel line-up of a broadcast service provider, comprising:

a readable media storing an account balance and having electrical contacts for allowing the readable media to be releasably connected to the remote control wherein the account balance is read from the readable media by the remote control, via the electrical contacts, upon activation of the button and transmission of the signal from the remote control to the home appliance is limited as a function of the account balance.

8. The system as recited in claim 7, wherein the remote control functions to debit the account balance stored on the readable media in connection with transmission of the signal to the home appliance.