Methods and apparatus for simplified remote control operation of components
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A remote control, for use with an entertainment system having a TV and set-top-box, the remote control comprising:
- a transmitter capable of transmitting commands to the TV and to the set-top-box;
a keypad comprising a plurality of user-selectable keys;
a memory storing commands for the set-top-box and the TV; and
control logic adapted to issue commands, via the transmitter and in response to the keys selected to the set-top-box and TV;
wherein the remote control is configured to allow a user to select one of at least two modes of operation for the remote control, and to allow the user to set the remote control to control one of the set-top box and the TV, wherein the modes of operation comprise a normal mode and a limited mode;
wherein, when in normal mode or limited mode and set to control the set-top box, the remote control allows, the user to issue a first set of commands to the set-top-box;
wherein, when in normal mode and set to control the TV, the remote control allows the user to issue a second set of commands to the TV; and
wherein, when in limited mode and set to control the TV, the remote control allows the user to issue a subset of the second set of commands to the TV, and prevents the user from issuing those of the second set of commands not in the subset, the subset selected from the group consisting of a command to turn the TV on, a command to turn the TV off and commands to change the volume of the TV.
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Abstract
A remote control and method of programming a remote control for controlling components in an entertainment system are disclosed. The remote control may operate in multiple modes including a limited mode that prevents the remote control from sending predetermined commands to one or more components, even when instructed to do so by the user. In addition, the remote control may issue one or more commands to each component in response to a single user input.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A remote control, for use with an entertainment system having a TV and set-top-box, the remote control comprising:
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a transmitter capable of transmitting commands to the TV and to the set-top-box; a keypad comprising a plurality of user-selectable keys; a memory storing commands for the set-top-box and the TV; and control logic adapted to issue commands, via the transmitter and in response to the keys selected to the set-top-box and TV; wherein the remote control is configured to allow a user to select one of at least two modes of operation for the remote control, and to allow the user to set the remote control to control one of the set-top box and the TV, wherein the modes of operation comprise a normal mode and a limited mode; wherein, when in normal mode or limited mode and set to control the set-top box, the remote control allows, the user to issue a first set of commands to the set-top-box; wherein, when in normal mode and set to control the TV, the remote control allows the user to issue a second set of commands to the TV; and wherein, when in limited mode and set to control the TV, the remote control allows the user to issue a subset of the second set of commands to the TV, and prevents the user from issuing those of the second set of commands not in the subset, the subset selected from the group consisting of a command to turn the TV on, a command to turn the TV off and commands to change the volume of the TV. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A remote control, for use with an entertainment system comprising a plurality of components where at least two of the plurality of components have a plurality of operational states, the remote control comprising:
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a transmitter for communicating with at least one of the plurality of components; control logic for transmitting signals via the transmitter; and wherein the control logic is adapted to allow the user to select between a first mode and a second mode of remote control operation, and to allow the user to select one of the plurality of components to control; wherein, when the remote control is in the first mode of remote control operation and the user has selected a first of the components to control, the user can give any of a first set of instructions to the remote control resulting in the remote control transmitting one or more of a first set of commands for the first of the components corresponding to the first set of instructions; wherein, when the remote control is in the second mode of remote control operation and the user has selected the first of the components to control, the user can give any of the first set of instructions to the remote control but the remote control will transmit only commands to the first of the components that correspond to a predetermined subset of the first set of instructions; and wherein the selection of the first mode or the second mode is not based on an identity of the user. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for transferring user commands to an entertainment system component to maintain the component in an operational state, the method comprising:
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receiving a selection of a first mode of remote control operation or a second mode of remote control operation from a user at a remote control device, wherein the selection is not associated with an identity of the user; receiving a selection of one of a plurality of components of an entertainment system from the user; receiving instructions for controlling the selected component from the user at the remote control device; in the first mode, transmitting a command to the selected component in response to each of the received instructions; and in the second mode, transmitting a command to the selected component in response to each of a subset of the received instructions, wherein no commands are transmitted in response to those of the received instructions not belonging to the subset. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification