Method and apparatus for uploading and downloading remote control codes

• US 7,889,095 B1
• Filed: 10/03/2008
• Issued: 02/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Original Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Inventors: Henry, Justin M., Harris, Glen McLean
• Primary Examiner(s): Holloway, III; Edwin C
• Application Number:
  US12/245,675
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.22, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 341/176, 348/734, 398/106, 398/112
• US Class Current: 340/4.3
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/28 using pulse code
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/21 Programming remote control devices via third means
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared

Abstract

An online remote control configuration system for efficiently programming a remote control to recognize a plurality of external electronic devices. The online remote control configuration system includes a remote control having a housing, a keypad, and an electronic system for receiving configuration data from a control station via a global computer network (e.g. Internet). The user preferably “samples” one or more signals from a remote control into the electronic system and then uploads the samples to the control station. The control station analyzes the uploaded samples and transmits the appropriate configuration data to properly configure the electronic system. The user may also access a web site of the control station and manually select each of the external electronic devices that the remote control is to operate after which the control station sends the appropriate configuration data to the electronic system.

Claims

1. A method for providing information on remote control devices and controlled appliances, comprising:

providing a database with information about said devices and appliances;

providing an Internet connection to said database;

receiving consumer-supplied data over the Internet;

entering said consumer-supplied data into said database, said data regarding aspects of said devices and appliances from a plurality of first consumers, wherein said consumer-supplied data entered into said database includes make, model number and device type, said consumer-supplied data including IR codes for particular models of remote control devices and techniques, including sequencing information, used when programming remote control devices, said IR codes including codes emitted by device remote controls and uploaded in electronic form;

wherein said database is thereby constructed using consumer-supplied data from a plurality of consumers;

downloading said consumer-supplied data to subsequent consumers over the Internet, so that consumers can use said consumer-supplied data to generate configuration data in said remote control devices, said configuration data being capable of configuring a remote control so that it can control external devices in a consumer'"'"'s particular external device configuration, said entered data being usable to configure IR codes in said remote control devices.

2. A method for providing information on a remote control device and controlled appliances, comprising:

providing a database with information about said remote control device and appliances;

providing an Internet connection to said database;

receiving consumer-supplied data over the Internet from a plurality of first consumers;

entering said consumer-supplied data into said database, said data regarding aspects of said remote control device and appliances from said first consumers, including IR codes for a particular models of remote control device and make, model number and device type of an appliance and techniques, including sequencing information, used when programming remote control devices;

wherein said database is thereby constructed using consumer-supplied data from a plurality of consumers; and

downloading said consumer-supplied data to subsequent consumers over the Internet to generate configuration data and IR codes in said remote control device, said configuration data being usable to configure a remote control so that it can control external devices in a consumer'"'"'s particular external device configuration.