System and method for configuring the remote control functionality of a portable device

• US 8,812,629 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2011
• Issued: 08/19/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Arling, Paul D., Barnett, Brian, Sheridan, Norman G., Hayes, Patrick H.
• Primary Examiner(s): TAYLOR, NICHOLAS R
• Application Number:
  US13/198,072
• Publication Number:
  US 20110289113A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,111 Days
• Field of Search: 709/220, 709/222, 709/225
• US Class Current: 709/220
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/245 Query processing
• 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 2201/40 Remote control systems using repeaters, converters, gateways
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/92 Universal remote control
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/93 Remote control using other portable devices, e.g. mobile phone, PDA, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• 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 21/42684 Client identification by a unique number or address, e.g. serial number, MAC address, socket ID network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44227 Monitoring of local network, e.g. connection or bandwidth variations; Detecting new devices in the local network configuring of peripheral devices in general G06F9/4411; monitoring connectivity in data switched networks H04L43/0811
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6581 Reference data, e.g. a movie identifier for ordering a movie or a product identifier in a home shopping application

Abstract

A server device receives identity data retrieved from an appliance through use of a physical and logical interconnection referenced to a standard. The identity data is used at the server device to identify within a database having a plurality of appliance records, each of which is cross-referenced to an appliance, an appliance record having data in one or more record fields which matches the identity data retrieved from the appliance. A codeset identifier associated with the identified appliance record is then used to select from a plurality of codesets a codeset for use in configuring the portable device to command functional operations of the appliance.

Claims

1. A method for selecting a codeset for use in configuring a portable device to command functional operations of an appliance, comprising:

receiving at a server device via a network identity data retrieved from the appliance through use of a physical and logical interconnection referenced to a wired protocol standard;

using the identity data at the server device to identify within a database having a plurality of appliance records, wherein each of the plurality of appliance records within the database is cross-referenced to an appliance and wherein each of the plurality of appliance records within the database comprises a plurality of record fields, a plurality of appliance records, wherein each of the identified plurality of appliance records has data in one or more of its plurality of record fields which matches the identity data retrieved from the appliance;

receiving at the server device via the network further data retrieved from the appliance through use of the interconnection referenced to the wired protocol standard;

using the further data retrieved from the appliance at the server device to identify one of the identified plurality of appliance records, wherein the identified one of the identified plurality of appliance records has data in one or more of its plurality of record fields which matches the further data retrieved from the appliance; and

using a codeset identifier associated with the identified one of the identified plurality of appliance records to select from a plurality of wireless protocol codesets a wireless protocol codeset for use in configuring the portable device whereupon the portable device will respond to an activation of an input element thereof to issue one or more commands to command one or more functional operations of the appliance via use of the selected wireless protocol codeset.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the identity data and the further data is received at the server device from the portable device via the network.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the physical and logical interconnection referenced to a standard is used to place the portable device and the appliance into direct communication.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the selected wireless protocol codeset is pre-stored in a memory of the portable device.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the selected wireless protocol codeset is downloaded to the portable device via the network.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the interconnection is referenced to the High Definition Media Interface specification.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the further data retrieved from the appliance comprises at least data indicative of one or more of an Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) manufacturer ID, an EDID product ID, and an EDID version number.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the further data retrieved from the appliance comprises at least data indicative of an Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) parameter.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the further data retrieved from the appliance comprises at least data indicative of one or more of a Source Product Description (SPD) Vendor Name and a SPD product description.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the further data retrieved from the appliance comprises at least data indicative of an appliance response to a CEC challenge.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the identity data comprises at least data indicative of a Consumer Electronic Control (CEC) vendor ID and a CEC logical address.

12. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising using information in one or more of the record fields of one or more of the identified plurality of appliance records by the server device to determine which further data to retrieve from the appliance through use of the interconnection referenced to the wired protocol standard.

13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the further data retrieved from the appliance comprises at least data indicative of one or more of an Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) manufacturer ID, an EDID product ID, and an EDID version number.

14. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the further data retrieved from the appliance comprises at least data indicative of an Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) parameter.

15. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the further data retrieved from the appliance comprises at least data indicative of one or more of a Source Product Description (SPD) Vendor Name and a SPD product description.

16. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the further data retrieved from the appliance comprises at least data indicative of an appliance response to a CEC challenge.