System and method for rapid configuration of a universal controlling device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for configuring a universal controlling device to exchange communications with an intended target device via an RF communications channel, comprising:
- receiving into the universal controlling device while in a setup mode a selection of a one of a plurality of quick setup input elements of the universal controlling device wherein each of the plurality of quick setup input elements is linked within a memory of the universal controlling device to a different one of a plurality of RF communication protocols usable by the universal controlling device to exchange communications with a device type of the intended target device;
in response to the selection of the one of the plurality of quick setup input elements, causing the universal controlling device to issue a query message to the intended target device wherein the query message is transmitted using the one of the plurality of RF communication protocols linked to the selected of the one of the plurality of quick setup input elements within the memory of the universal controlling device; and
in response to a message being successfully received by the universal controlling device from the intended target device as transmitted in response to the query message causing the universal controlling device to be paired with the intended target device whereupon the universal controlling device will use the selected one of the plurality of RF communication protocols when the universal controlling device is subsequently placed into an operating mode in which the universal controlling device is intended to exchange communications with the intended target device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A universal controlling device is provided with one or more buttons which, when activated in a set up mode, serves to initiate a rapid configuration of the universal controlling device to adapt the universal controlling device to communicate with an intended target appliance.
30 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method for configuring a universal controlling device to exchange communications with an intended target device via an RF communications channel, comprising:
-
receiving into the universal controlling device while in a setup mode a selection of a one of a plurality of quick setup input elements of the universal controlling device wherein each of the plurality of quick setup input elements is linked within a memory of the universal controlling device to a different one of a plurality of RF communication protocols usable by the universal controlling device to exchange communications with a device type of the intended target device; in response to the selection of the one of the plurality of quick setup input elements, causing the universal controlling device to issue a query message to the intended target device wherein the query message is transmitted using the one of the plurality of RF communication protocols linked to the selected of the one of the plurality of quick setup input elements within the memory of the universal controlling device; and in response to a message being successfully received by the universal controlling device from the intended target device as transmitted in response to the query message causing the universal controlling device to be paired with the intended target device whereupon the universal controlling device will use the selected one of the plurality of RF communication protocols when the universal controlling device is subsequently placed into an operating mode in which the universal controlling device is intended to exchange communications with the intended target device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A universal controlling device, comprising:
-
a RF communications circuit; a processing device in communication with the RF communications circuit for causing the RF communications circuit to exchange RF communications with an intended target device using a selected one of a plurality of RF communications protocols; a key matrix having a plurality of quick setup input elements; and a memory in which is stored a link between each of the plurality of quick setup input elements and a different one of a plurality of RF communication protocols usable by the processing device in communication with the RF communications circuit to exchange communications with a device type of the intended target device; wherein, in response to a selection of a one of the plurality of quick setup input elements while the universal controlling device is in a setup mode of operation, the processing device of the universal controlling device is caused to transmit a query message to the intended target device using the one of the plurality of RF communication protocols linked to the selected of the one of the plurality of quick setup input elements within the memory of the universal controlling device and wherein a response successfully received from the intended target device in response to the query message causes the universal controlling device to be paired with the intended target device such that the processing device in communication with the RF communications circuit will use the one of the plurality of RF communication protocols linked to the selected of the one of the plurality of quick setup input elements within the memory of the universal controlling device when the universal controlling device is subsequently placed into an operating mode in which the universal controlling device is intended to exchange communications with the intended target device. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification