State-based remote control system

• US 8,674,814 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2007
• Issued: 03/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Original Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Inventors: Harris, Glen McLean, Henry, Justin M.
• Primary Examiner(s): HOLLOWAY III, EDWIN C
• Application Number:
  US11/841,748
• Publication Number:
  US 20080068247A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,402 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.7, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/3.2, 340/3.1, 340/3.7, 340/3.71, 340/12.22, 340/12.23, 340/12.24, 340/12.28, 340/12.52, 340/12.53, 340/12.54, 340/13.21, 340/13.24, 340/4.3, 340/4.31, 398/108, 398/111, 398/112, 398/115, 398/126, 398/127, 455/352, 341/176, 348/734
• US Class Current: 340/12.22
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/00 Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical 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 2201/50 Receiving or transmitting feedback, e.g. replies, status updates, acknowledgements, from the controlled devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/92 Universal remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2814 Exchanging control software or macros for controlling appliance services in a home automation network arrangements for maintenance or administration involving configuration of the network and network elements H04L41/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204

Abstract

A state-based remote control system for providing efficient and simple operation of a plurality of electronic devices as a coordinated system based upon an overall task. The state-based remote control system includes a housing, a keypad in communication with an electronic system contained within the housing, and a communication device in communication with the electronic system for communicating with external electronic devices. The electronic system monitors the buttons selected by a user to determine the state of all external electronic devices that are to be controlled. When the user selects a task (e.g. watch television), the electronic system automatically determines the actions required to achieve the desired task based upon the current state of the external electronic devices. After the task has been fulfilled, the electronic system updates the data to reflect the modified state of the external electronic devices.

Claims

1. A state-based remote control, comprising:

a housing;

an electronic system configured to store, calculate and update simulated current state data relating to a plurality of external electronic devices, based at least in part on user input for transmission of one or more commands by the remote control;

a display coupled to the electronic system and configured to be controlled by the electronic system to display a menu, wherein the electronic system is configured to change a selectable menu option displayed on the menu from a first selectable menu option to a second selectable menu option if the simulated current state data is calculated and updated by the electronic system;

a communication device connected to said electronic system for emitting a control signal to said plurality of external electronic devices; and

an input device connected to said electronic system for controlling said electronic system,

wherein, said electronic system is further configured to receive a task request including desired states for the plurality of external electronic devices, the desired states including an “

on”

state for at least one of the external electronic devices and an “

off”

state for another of the external electronic devices, and

said electronic system is further configured to determine whether control signals need to be sent to the plurality of external electronic devices based on the desired states and the simulated current state data.

2. The state-based remote control of claim 1, wherein said input device includes a keypad having a plurality of buttons.

3. The state-based remote control of claim 2, wherein said input device includes a display.

4. The state-based remote control of claim 1, wherein said electronic system is capable of performing tasks based upon desired state data as compared to said current state data.

5. The state-based remote control of claim 4, wherein said electronic system only modifies a state of an electronic device that has a current state that does not match a desired state.

6. The state-based remote control system of claim 1, wherein said communication device is able to transmit and receive data.

7. The state-based remote control system of claim 1, wherein said electronic system is programmable to allow for the control of the plurality of external electronic devices.

8. The state-based remote control of claim 1, wherein the first selectable menu option is for a simulated current state data prior to the calculating and updating the simulated current state data.

9. The state-based remote control of claim 8, wherein the first selectable menu option is for a macro.

10. The state-based remote control of claim 1, wherein the second selectable menu option is for a simulated current state data subsequent to the calculating and updating the simulated current state data.

11. The state-based remote control of claim 10, wherein the first selectable menu option is for a macro.

12. The state-based remote control of claim 1, wherein the menu is an activity based menu for the at least one of the external electronic devices.

13. The state-based remote control of claim 1, wherein the menu is a task based menu for the at least one of the external electronic devices.

14. The state-based remote control of claim 1, wherein the menu is a macro based menu for the at least one of the external electronic devices.

15. The state-based remote control of claim 1, wherein the simulated current state data is for a logical state of at least one of the external electronic devices.

16. The state-based remote control of claim 1, wherein the menu is for at least one of the external electronic devices.

17. The state-based remote control of claim 1, wherein the simulated current state data is for a physical state of at least one of the external electronic devices.

18. The state-based remote control of claim 1, wherein the simulated current state data is for a logical state of at least one of the external electronic devices.