System and method for using an universal remote control to access extended operational functions of a device

• US 8,854,245 B2
• Filed: 07/25/2006
• Issued: 10/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Nguyen, Kimthoa Thi
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, Hai
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bousono, Orlando
• Application Number:
  US11/492,598
• Publication Number:
  US 20060262002A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,996 Days
• Field of Search: 341 20- 35, 341173-192, 340/825.69, 340 561- 564, 340 1222- 1255, 348731-734, 4551511-1514, 334/8
• US Class Current: 341/176
• 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 2201/92 Universal remote control
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• 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 21/42206 characterized by hardware details
• 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 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4751 for defining user accounts, e.g. accounts for children

Abstract

A system and method for using an universal remote control to access extended operational functions of a device. A consumer causes the universal remote control to transmit a code data value selected from the library to a target device while observing the effect of the transmitted code data value on the target device. When the target device responds in a manner desired by the consumer, the consumer may tag the code data value that caused the desired effect and assign the tagged code data value to a programmable key on the universal remote control.

Claims

1. An universal remote control, comprising:

a memory storing a plurality of libraries each comprised of a plurality of code data values for use in commanding a corresponding device to perform operational functions;

a keypad comprising a plurality of keys including at least one programmable key;

a transmission circuit for use in transmitting a signal; and

programming for using data received from another universal remote control to map a subset of the code data values of an identified one of the plurality of libraries stored in the memory to a subset of the plurality of keys of the keypad wherein the data received from the another universal remote control comprises a first table which includes data indicative of a mapping between extended operational functions of a controllable device and programmable keys of the another universal remote control.

2. The universal remote control as recited in claim 1, wherein the data received from the another universal remote control comprises a second table which includes data indicative of a mapping between common operational functions of the controllable device and standard keys of the another universal remote control.

3. The universal remote control as recited in claim 2, wherein the first table and the second table are both comprised within one table.