Interactive web-based codeset selection and development tool

• US 7,936,287 B1
• Filed: 08/15/2007
• Issued: 05/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: UEI Cayman Incorporated (Universal Electronics, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lee, Jonathan, Miramontes, Oscar C
• Primary Examiner(s): Holloway, III; Edwin C
• Application Number:
  US11/893,421
• Time in Patent Office: 1,357 Days
• Field of Search: 341/23, 341/173, 341/175, 341/176, 340/825.22, 340/825.24, 340/825.25, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 348/734, 398/106, 398/111, 398/112, 700/65, 700/83, 700/84, 709/219, 709/221, 715/749, 715/760, 715/864, 717/171
• US Class Current: 341/23
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/45533 Hypervisors; Virtual machine monitors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/54 Interprogram communication
• 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: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42226 Reprogrammable remote control devices

Abstract

An interactive, web-based codeset selection and development tool transmits hypertext documents from a web server to a web browser of a developer of microcontroller code for a new remote control device. The hypertext documents include selection criteria for groups of codesets stored in a central database of codesets. The developer selects the most appropriate codesets for the new remote control device using the selection criteria. The selection and development tool converts each of the selected codesets into a plurality of strings of timing information. The strings are encrypted and transmitted to the developer along with a signal engine. The developer loads the encrypted strings and the signal engine into a new microcontroller that has a factory-programmed decryption key. The microcontroller decrypts the encrypted strings of timing information and uses them and the signal engine to generate operational signals that control various functions of electronic consumer devices.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

transmitting from a web server a hypertext document, the hypertext document including an indication of a selection criterion of a group of codesets, wherein each codeset of the group of codesets controls an electronic consumer device;

receiving onto the web server from a web client a designation of the selection criterion;

selecting from a database associated with the web server the group of codesets using the designation of the selection criterion, wherein the selected group of codesets controls a group of electronic consumer devices that correspond to the selection criterion; and

transmitting to the web client from the web server the selected group of codesets with at least one codeset of the selected group of codesets being converted into a plurality of strings of timing information;

a signal engine which is editable via use of client software to customize a manner in which timing information is used to generate operational signals, and a compiler for compiling the signal engine whereupon the compiled signal engine is usable by a microcontroller with the selected group of codesets to cause generation of operational signals to control functions of the group of electronic consumer devices that correspond to the selection criterion.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic consumer devices that correspond to the selection criterion are taken from the group consisting of:

the largest number of types of electronic consumer devices, the largest number of brands of electronic consumer devices, the largest number of models of electronic consumer devices, and the electronic consumer devices that are used in the most geographical regions.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected group of codesets both fits within a memory of a remote control device and controls a group of electronic consumer devices that correspond to the selection criterion the group of codesets.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

encrypting the plurality of strings of timing information; and

transmitting the encrypted plurality of strings of timing information to the web client.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting editable codesets having customizable strings of timing information to the web client.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal engine is implemented in selectable modules.