Customizable and upgradable devices and methods related thereto

• US 9,071,329 B2
• Filed: 11/17/2006
• Issued: 06/30/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Escobosa, Marcus, Hayes, Patrick H., Conway, James N. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): BROWN, VERNAL U
• Application Number:
  US11/601,265
• Publication Number:
  US 20070063860A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,147 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.72, 340/5, 340/64, 340/12.22, 340/3.1, 340/4.61, 341/176, 348/14.05, 455/419
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 customizable and an upgradable remote control is provided which may be customized or upgraded via a Web site or through other remote, and preferably interactive, processes. A database is provided which includes a plurality of functions of a consumer electronic device, such as a TV and/or a DVD player. A user selects among the plurality of functions at least one of the desired functions. In response to the user selection a virtual configuration is created to virtually configure the customizable remote control. The virtual configuration may be downloaded to the customizable remote control.

Claims

1. A method of customizing a remote control, comprising:

receiving at an Internet Web site first data that functions to identify a plurality of consumer electronic devices;

receiving at the Internet Web site second data that functions to identify an activity to be performed using the plurality of consumer electronic devices identified by the first data;

using the first data that functions to identify the plurality of consumer electronic devices and the second data that functions to identify an activity to be performed using the plurality of consumer electronic devices identified by the first data to cause the Internet Web site to select a pre-programmed sequence comprising instructions executable by the remote control for causing the plurality of consumer electronic devices identified by the first data to perform a plurality of operations in connection with the activity identified by the second data when a configurable key of the remote control is actuated; and

downloading the pre-programmed sequence from the Internet Web site for use in connection with the configurable key of the remote control.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first data and the second data is received at the Internet Web site via an Internet connection.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the pre-programmed sequence comprises instructions for performing an operation associated with channel tuning.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the pre-programmed sequence comprises a code for accessing a pay-per-view broadcast program.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the pre-programmed sequence comprises instructions for performing operations associated with configuring settings of the plurality of appliances.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first data that functions to identify the plurality of consumer electronic devices is provided to the Internet Web site via a user identifying a brand/model of each of the plurality of consumer electronic devices.

7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the user identifies the brand/model of each of the plurality of consumer electronic devices using a graphical user interface.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first data that functions to identify the plurality of consumer electronic devices is retrieved from a cookie on a client computer in communication with the Internet Web site.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising further downloading from the Internet Web site for use in the remote control command sets appropriate for allowing operations of the plurality of consumer electronic devices to be controlled via actuations of corresponding keys of the remote control.

10. A method of configuring a key layout of a configurable remote control, comprising:

displaying to a user via an Internet Web site a plurality of images of original equipment remote controls;

receiving at the Internet Web site data that functions to select at least one original equipment remote control represented within the plurality of images of remote controls; and

causing the Internet Web site to download for use by the configurable remote control a key layout corresponding to the at least one original equipment remote control selected according to the data received at the Internet Web site.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the downloaded key layout comprises a plurality of command codes for commanding corresponding operations of an appliance and a plurality of icons to be displayed within a display of the configurable remote control wherein select ones of the plurality of icons are mapped to select ones of the plurality of command codes such that a selection of an icon when displayed within the display of the configurable remote control causes the configurable remote control to transmit a command code that has been mapped to the icon.

12. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the plurality of images of original equipment remote controls are browsable by the user providing a brand/model designation to the Internet Web site.