Remote control mode on-screen displays and methods for producing the same
First Claim
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1. A method for notifying a user of a remote control regarding the mode of a remote control, the method comprising:
- detecting a first code from the remote control, wherein the first code is an operation mode code and relates to the operation of a first device of a plurality of devices, wherein the first code is detected when the remote control has been programmed to operate and is in a mode to operate the first device;
comparing the detected first code to a list of recognized operation mode codes related to the operation of the plurality of devices to identify the first device;
detecting a second code from the remote control, wherein the second code indicates that the remote control is in an unprogrammed mode, wherein the second code is detected when the remote control is not in a mode to operate any of the plurality of devices; and
informing the user of at least one of;
the identity of the first device the remote control is operating based on the detected first code, or that the remote control is not programmed to operate any of the plurality of devices based on the detected second code.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for notifying a user of a remote control regarding the mode of a remote control. An example method includes detecting a code from the remote control, comparing the detected code to a list of recognized codes, and informing the user of the mode the remote control is operating based on the detected code and/or that the current mode of the remote control is not programmed.
23 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for notifying a user of a remote control regarding the mode of a remote control, the method comprising:
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detecting a first code from the remote control, wherein the first code is an operation mode code and relates to the operation of a first device of a plurality of devices, wherein the first code is detected when the remote control has been programmed to operate and is in a mode to operate the first device; comparing the detected first code to a list of recognized operation mode codes related to the operation of the plurality of devices to identify the first device; detecting a second code from the remote control, wherein the second code indicates that the remote control is in an unprogrammed mode, wherein the second code is detected when the remote control is not in a mode to operate any of the plurality of devices; and informing the user of at least one of;
the identity of the first device the remote control is operating based on the detected first code, or that the remote control is not programmed to operate any of the plurality of devices based on the detected second code. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of programming a remote control, the method comprising:
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emitting a code from the remote control after a button on the remote control has been pressed, wherein the code is unrelated to any function associated with the button and the code indicates that the remote control is not in a mode to operate a device; detecting the code from the remote control; informing the user that the remote control is in an unprogrammed mode; offering instructions on how to program the remote control according to a desired mode of the remote control; and instructing the user to change the mode of the remote control if the user declines the instructions to program the remote control. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A machine accessible medium having machine readable instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to:
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detect a first code from the remote control, wherein the first code is an operation mode code and relates to the operation of a first device of a plurality of devices, wherein the first code is detected when the remote control has been programmed to operate and is in a mode to operate the first device; compare the detected first code to a list of recognized operation mode codes related to the operation of the plurality of devices to identify the first device; detect a second code from the remote control, wherein the second code indicates that the remote control is in an unprogrammed mode, wherein the second code is detected when the remote control is not in a mode to operate any of the plurality of devices; and inform the user of at least one of;
the identity of the first device or mode the remote control is operating based on the detected first code, or that the remote control is not programmed to operate any of the plurality devices based on the detected second code. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system comprising:
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a remote control that emits a first code and a second code, wherein the first code is an operation mode code that indicates that the remote control is in a mode to operate a first device of a plurality of devices and the second code is an unprogrammed-mode code that indicates that the remote control is not in a mode to operate any of the plurality of devices; a set-top box; a memory storing a first data structure including a plurality of data records, each of the plurality of data records storing operation mode codes related to the operation by the remote control of each of the plurality of devices that the remote control has been programmed to operate; and software for notifying a user that the remote control is in a mode to operate the first device if the first code is detected and is programmed into the memory and that the remote control is in an unprogrammed mode if the second code is detected. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification