Customizable and upgradable devices and methods related thereto

• US 8,098,140 B1
• Filed: 07/13/2000
• Issued: 01/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Escobosa, Marcus, Hayes, Patrick H., Conway, James N. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): BURGDORF, STEPHEN R
• Application Number:
  US09/615,473
• Time in Patent Office: 4,205 Days
• Field of Search: 340/854.9, 340/856.3, 340/825.49, 340/825.72, 340/825.69, 340/825.22, 367/81, 367/82, 174/106.R, 174/106.SC, 174/36, 174/108, 264/103, 181/102, 181/105, 257/679, 455/151.2, 725/37, 345/156
• US Class Current: 340/12.28
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/28 using pulse code
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/20 Binding and programming of remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/21 Programming remote control devices via third means
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/30 User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/202 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/254 Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server, rights management server arrangements for maintenance or administration in data networks H04L41/00; network services using third party service providers H04L67/53
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25816 involving client authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4117 for generating hard copies of the content, e.g. printer, electronic paper interfaces to printers G06F3/12; printing data G06K15/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4143 embedded in a Personal Computer [PC]
• 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 21/4222 Remote control device emulator integrated into a non-television apparatus, e.g. a PDA, media center or smart toy remote control device for a television receiver integrated into a mobile phone H04M1/72415
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42224 Touch pad or touch panel provided on the remote control
• 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 21/435 Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4586 Content update operation triggered locally, e.g. by comparing the version of software modules in a DVB carousel to the version stored locally deployment, distribution, installation, update of software G06F8/65; error detection or correction of the data by redundancy during software upgrading G06F11/1433; arrangements for updating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/25
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 : Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 : involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8186 : specially adapted to be executed by a peripheral of the client device, e.g. by a reprogrammable remote control

Abstract

A remote control is configured by a user specifying a type and brand of a consumer electronic device. A plurality of function code sets that have been identified as being candidates for commanding operations of the specified type and brand of consumer electronic device are selected and at least a subset of each of the plurality of selected function code sets is made available such that a user may determine by experimentation which one of the plurality of function code sets is appropriate for commanding operations of the specified type and brand of consumer electronic device.

Claims

1. A method for selecting a command set for use in a remote control, comprising:

receiving user input at a computer that functions to specify a type of a consumer electronic device and a brand of the consumer electronic device;

using the user input at the computer to select a plurality of command sets that have been identified as being candidates for commanding operations of the specified type of the consumer electronic device and the specified brand of the consumer electronic device;

causing at least a subset of each of the plurality of selected command sets to be downloaded from the computer into the remote control whereby a user may interact with the remote control to determine by experimentation which one of the plurality of command sets is appropriate for commanding operations of the specified type of the consumer electronic device and the specified brand of the consumer electronic device;

displaying to the user a key layout for the remote control and a list of functions from the command set appropriate for commanding operations of the specified type of the consumer electronic device and the specified brand of the consumer electronic device and accepting user input to assign functions from the list of functions to the key layout, assignments of functions to the key layout being downloadable from the computer to the remote control to thereby configure the remote control to command operations of the specified type of the consumer electronic device and the specified brand of consumer electronic device; and

displaying an amount of memory needed in the remote control to download from the computer to the remote control assignments of functions to the key layout.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising displaying to the user a list comprising a plurality of types of consumer electronic device and the user selecting one of the plurality of types of consumer electronic device from the list comprises the user input that functions to specify the type of the consumer electronic device.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising displaying to the user a list comprising a plurality of brands of consumer electronic device and the user selecting one of the plurality of brands of consumer electronic device from the list comprises the user input that functions to specify the brand of the consumer electronic device.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the subset of each of the plurality of command sets includes at least a code for commanding a power operation of the specified type of the consumer electronic device and the specified brand of the consumer electronic device.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising arranging the downloaded plurality of command sets such that the plurality of command sets will be tested in an order according to their install base when the user interacts with the remote control to determine by experimentation which one of the plurality of function code sets is appropriate for commanding operations of the specified type of the consumer electronic device and the specified brand of the consumer electronic device.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising using the one of the plurality of command sets that is appropriate for commanding operations of the specified type of the consumer electronic device and the specified brand of the consumer electronic device to identify an extended command set for use in commanding extended operations of the specified type of the consumer electronic device and the specified brand of the consumer electronic device.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the user input is received at the computer via an Internet connection.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of command sets are downloaded from the computer directly into the remote control.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising presenting a graphical user interface having drag and drop capabilities for use in assigning functions from the list of functions to the key layout.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising downloading from the computer to the remote control via a speaker assignments of function codes to the key layout.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising downloading from the computer to the remote control a user interface having keys appropriate for commanding operations of the specified type of the consumer electronic device and the specified brand of the consumer electronic device, the user interface corresponding to the key layout.

12. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the key layout comprises keys displayable in a display of the remote control.

13. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising directly downloading from the computer to the remote control assignments of functions to the key layout.

14. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of command sets each comprise codes for driving an IR emitting diode of the remote control.

15. A method for selecting a command set for use in a remote control, comprising:

receiving user input at a computer that functions to specify a type of a consumer electronic device and a brand of the consumer electronic device;

using the user input at the computer to select a plurality of command sets that have been identified as being candidates for commanding operations of the specified type of the consumer electronic device and the specified brand of the consumer electronic device;

causing at least a subset of each of the plurality of selected command sets to be downloaded from the computer into the remote control whereby a user may interact with the remote control to determine by experimentation which one of the plurality of command sets is appropriate for commanding operations of the specified type of the consumer electronic device and the specified brand of the consumer electronic device;

displaying to the user a key layout for the remote control and a list of functions from the command set appropriate for commanding operations of the specified type of the consumer electronic device and the specified brand of the consumer electronic device and accepting user input to assign functions from the list of functions to the key layout, assignments of functions to the key layout being downloadable from the computer to the remote control to thereby configure the remote control to command operations of the specified type of the consumer electronic device and the specified brand of consumer electronic device; and

downloading from the computer to the remote control via a memory card assignments of functions to the key layout.

16. A method for selecting a command set for use in a remote control, comprising:

displaying at a Web site a list comprising a plurality of types of consumer electronic device for allowing a user to select one of the plurality of types of consumer electronic device from the list to specify a type of a consumer electronic device;

displaying at the Web site a list comprising a plurality of brands of consumer electronic device for allowing the user to select one of the plurality of brands of consumer electronic devices from the list to specify a brand of the consumer electronic device;

using the user specified type of the consumer electronic device and the consumer specified brand of the consumer electronic device to select a plurality of command sets that have been identified as being candidates for commanding operations of the specified type of the consumer electronic device and the specified brand of the consumer electronic device;

making at least a subset of each of the plurality of selected command sets available whereby a user may determine by experimentation which one of the plurality of command sets is appropriate for commanding operations of the specified type of the consumer electronic device and the specified brand of the consumer electronic device;

displaying to the user at the Web site a key layout for the remote control and a list of functions from the command sets determined to be appropriate for commanding operations of the specified type of the consumer electronic device and the specified brand of the consumer electronic device and accepting user input to assign functions from the list of functions to the key layout; and

displaying an amount of memory needed in the remote control to download from the Web site to the remote control assignments of functions to the key layout;

wherein the plurality of command sets and the assignments of functions to the key layout are downloadable from the Web site to the remote control to thereby configure the remote control to command operations of the specified type of the consumer electronic device and the specified brand of the consumer electronic device.

17. The method as recited in claim 16, comprising arranging the plurality of command sets such that the plurality of command sets will be tested in an order according to their install base when the user determines by experimentation which one of the plurality of command sets is appropriate for commanding operations of the specified type of the consumer electronic device and the specified brand of the consumer electronic device.

18. The method as recited in claim 16, comprising presenting a graphical user interface having drag and drop capabilities for use in assigning functions from the list of functions to the key layout.

19. The method as recited in claim 16, comprising downloading from Web site to the remote control via a speaker assignments of function codes to the key layout.

20. The method as recited in claim 16, comprising downloading from the Web site to the remote control a user interface having keys appropriate for commanding operations of the specified type of the consumer electronic device and the specified brand of the consumer electronic device, the user interface corresponding to the key layout.

21. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the key layout comprises keys displayable in a display of the remote control.

22. The method as recited in claim 16, comprising directly downloading from the Web site to the remote control assignments of functions to the key layout.

23. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the plurality of command sets each comprise codes for driving an IR emitting diode of the remote control.

24. A method for selecting a command set for use in a remote control, comprising:

displaying at a Web site a list comprising a plurality of types of consumer electronic device for allowing a user to select one of the plurality of types of consumer electronic device from the list to specify a type of a consumer electronic device;

displaying at the Web site a list comprising a plurality of brands of consumer electronic device for allowing the user to select one of the plurality of brands of consumer electronic devices from the list to specify a brand of the consumer electronic device;

using the user specified type of the consumer electronic device and the consumer specified brand of the consumer electronic device to select a plurality of command sets that have been identified as being candidates for commanding operations of the specified type of the consumer electronic device and the specified brand of the consumer electronic device;

making at least a subset of each of the plurality of selected command sets available whereby a user may determine by experimentation which one of the plurality of command sets is appropriate for commanding operations of the specified type of the consumer electronic device and the specified brand of the consumer electronic device;

displaying to the user at the Web site a key layout for the remote control and a list of functions from the command sets determined to be appropriate for commanding operations of the specified type of the consumer electronic device and the specified brand of the consumer electronic device and accepting user input to assign functions from the list of functions to the key layout; and

downloading from the Web site to the remote control via a memory card assignments of functions to the key layout;

wherein the plurality of command sets and the assignments of functions to the key layout are downloadable from the Web site to the remote control to thereby configure the remote control to command operations of the specified type of the consumer electronic device and the specified brand of the consumer electronic device.