Methods and interactions for changing a remote control mode

• US 7,564,369 B1
• Filed: 09/16/2004
• Issued: 07/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Adams, Aditha M, Crosier, Dale C, Beck, Taryn K, Kaneko, Steven T, Ledbetter, Carl J, DeMaio, Pasquale, Chandley, Adrian M
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown; Vernal U
• Application Number:
  US10/942,461
• Time in Patent Office: 1,769 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/5.64, 340/5.61, 340/5.82, 340/5.83, 348/734, 455/66.1, 455/74, 455/419, 455/420
• US Class Current: 340/12.53
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/61 Password, biometric
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/93 Remote control using other portable devices, e.g. mobile phone, PDA, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42201 biosensors, e.g. heat sensor for presence detection, EEG sensors or any limb activity sensors worn by the user input arrangements for interaction with the human body based on nervous system activity detection G06F3/015
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4415 using biometric characteristics of the user, e.g. by voice recognition or fingerprint scanning cryptography using biological data H04L9/3231; authentication in networks using biometric H04L63/0861

Abstract

A handheld remote control device for a Media Computing Device has a biometric sensor to authenticate a user. The handheld remote control device includes a microphone and speaker to enable integration of a telephony system with the Media Computing Device. The handheld remote control device can be used as the interface with the Media Computing Device, alternatively, the handheld remote control device can be used as a speakerphone for communication in a telephony system that is integrated with the Media Computing Device. A multifunctional handheld remote control device can implement a variety of routines for interfacing with the Media Computing Device or alternatively for communicating in the telephony system.

Claims

1. A method for using a handheld remote control device to communicate in a telephony system, comprising:

(a) determining a first mode of the handheld remote control device, wherein the remote control device includes a plurality of buttons;

(b) receiving an incoming telephone call indicating to change the first mode of the handheld remote control device to a telephone mode for communication in a telephony system; and

(c) automatically changing the mode of the handheld remote control device from the first mode to the telephone mode to enable communication in the telephony system upon receiving the incoming telephone call, wherein more than one of the same buttons are used for input in both the first mode and the telephone mode, and wherein when the handheld remote control device is in the telephone mode, upon actuation of numerical buttons located on the handheld remote control device, a telephone signal is output;

(d) wherein the handheld remote control device is functional to control a Media Computing Device including a plurality of audio/visual devices and wherein the telephone mode changes to the first mode automatically when communication in the telephone mode is complete.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first mode of the handheld remote control is functional to transmit a signal to effect a controlled response from an entertainment device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the entertainment device is a DVD player, a CD player, a movie projector, a slide projector, an AM/FM receiver or a TV.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the controlled response is a transport control response.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the transport control response is play, pause, stop, record, fast forward, rewind, skip forward or replay.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the controlled response is an audio or video response.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the controlled response is increasing or decreasing volume or changing a channel or station.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first mode of the handheld remote control device is functional to transmit a signal to effect a controlled response from an auxiliary display.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the controlled response is a navigation response.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the controlled response is movement of a displayed focus point to a new location.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first mode of the handheld remote control device is functional to transmit a signal to effect a controlled response of a Media Computing Device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the controlled response is performing an annotation command, a search and play command, an operating system command or an application command.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying the caller on a display of the handheld remote control device.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising allowing the caller access to a voice mailbox based on the mode of the handheld remote control device.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying the mode of the handheld remote control device on a display.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the mode of the handheld remote control device is changed from the first mode to the second mode based on input from a user.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the input from the user comprises a voice command.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the input from the user comprises actuating a button disposed on the handheld remote control device.

19. A computer storage medium having computer executable instructions for performing a method for using a handheld remote control device to communicate in a telephony system, said method comprising:

(a) determining a first mode of the handheld remote control device, wherein the remote control device includes a plurality of buttons;

(b) receiving an incoming telephone call indicating to change the first mode of the handheld remote control device to a telephone mode for communication in a telephony system; and

(c) automatically changing the mode of the handheld remote control device from the first mode to the telephone mode to enable communication in the telephony system upon receiving the incoming telephone call, wherein more than one of the same buttons are used for input in both the first mode and the telephone mode, and wherein when the handheld remote control device is in the telephone mode, upon actuation of numerical buttons located on the handheld remote control device, a telephone signal is output;

(d) wherein the handheld remote control device is functional to control a Media Computing Device including a plurality of audio/visual devices and wherein the telephone mode changes to the first mode automatically when communication in the telephone mode is completed.

20. A computer readable storage medium having computer executable instructions for performing a method for using a handheld remote control device to communicate in a telephony system and for operating a Media Computing Device, said method comprising:

(a) determining via a biometric sensor placed on the handheld remote control whether a user is an authenticated user of the handheld remote control or a guest user and applying personalized settings on media content if the user is authenticated and placing restrictions on access to media content if the user is a guest user, wherein the personalized settings includes at least one Favorites List for the authenticated user for operating the Media Computing Device;

(b) determining the age of the authenticated user and applying Parental Controls on access to the media content if the user is of a young age;

(c) determining whether a Notification of Instant Messaging is received and displaying the Instant Messaging Notification via an auxiliary display placed on the handheld remote control if a Notification of Instant Messaging is received;

(d) determining whether a Favorites List Notification pertaining to an item on the Favorites List is received and displaying the Favorites List Notification via the auxiliary display if the Favorites List Notification is received;

(e) determining whether a Caller ID Notification is received and displaying the Caller ID Notification via the auxiliary display if the Caller ID Notification is received;

(f) determining whether a request to display a List or Media Guide is received and displaying the List or Media Guide via the auxiliary display if the request is received to permit the user to select an item from the List or Media Guide;

(g) determining whether an incoming call is received via the handheld remote control and determining whether a Do-Not-Disturb function is to be performed and sending the call to a Voice Mailbox if the Do-Not-Disturb function is to be performed and enabling a speakerphone to enable the user to communicate over the telephony system if the Do-Not-Disturb function is not performed;

(h) determining whether an Annotation command is to be performed and issuing via the handheld remote control an Annotation command for the Media Computing Device if the Annotation command is to be performed;

(i) determining whether a Search and Play command is to be performed and issuing via the handheld remote control a Search and Play command for the Media Computing Device if the Search and Play command is to be performed;

(j) determining whether an Operating System command is to be performed and issuing via the handheld remote control an Operating System command for the Media Computing Device if the Operating System command is to be performed;

(k) determining whether an Application command is to be performed and issuing via the handheld remote control an Application command for the Media Computing Device if the Application command is to be performed;

(l) determining a first mode of the handheld remote control device from a Telephone mode, Command and Control mode, or Feedback and Tuning mode, wherein the remote control device includes a plurality of buttons;

(m) receiving an incoming telephone call indicating to change the first mode of the handheld remote control device to the Telephone mode for communication in a telephony system; and

(n) automatically changing the mode of the handheld remote control device from the first mode to the Telephone mode to enable communication in the telephony system upon receiving the incoming telephone call, wherein more than one of the same buttons are used for input in both the first mode and the Telephone mode, and wherein when the handheld remote control device is in the Telephone mode, upon actuation of numerical buttons located on the handheld remote control device, a telephone signal is output;

(o) wherein the Telephone mode changes to the first mode automatically when communication in the Telephone mode is completed, and wherein the user may instruct the handheld remote control via voice commands.