Remote control multimedia content listing system

• US 20010033244A1
• Filed: 03/12/2001
• Published: 10/25/2001
• 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: Henry, Justin M., Harris, Glen McLean
• Granted Patent: US 7,283,059 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 341/176
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/28 using pulse code
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/21 Programming remote control devices via third means

Abstract

A remote control multimedia content listing system for providing an updated content listing of various media within a remote control. The remote control multimedia content listing system includes a remote control having a housing, a display, a keypad, and an electronic system for receiving configuration data from a control station via a global computer network (e.g. Internet). The user may enter media information into the electronic system thereafter uploading the media information to the control station. The control station analyzes the uploaded media information and transmits the appropriate configuration data to properly configure the electronic system to provide a usable “guide” for the media. The user may also access a web site of the control station and manually enter the media information after which the control station sends the appropriate configuration data to the electronic system. The electronic system also preferably receives automatic updates of the configuration data when connected to the control station via the Internet for maintaining an updated multimedia listing.

Claims

1. A remote control multimedia content listing system, comprising:

a control station for providing configuration data;

a housing;

a display within said housing;

an electronic system in communication with said display, wherein said electronic system is capable of storing a media guide;

a means for communicating with said control station for receiving said media guide; and

an input means connected to said electronic system.

2. The remote control multimedia content listing system of

claim 1

, wherein said input means comprises a keypad.

3. The remote control multimedia content listing system of

claim 1

, wherein said media guide is comprised of music information and video information.

4. The remote control multimedia content listing system of

claim 1

, wherein said means for communicating with said control station is comprised of a global computer network.

5. The remote control multimedia content listing system of

claim 4

, wherein said control station includes a web page for receiving media information.

6. The remote control multimedia content listing system of

claim 1

, wherein said control station includes a web page for receiving media information.

7. A method of using a remote control multimedia content listing system system having an electronic system with a communication device, an input device, a display, and a means for communicating with a control station, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) entering a media record into said electronic system;

(b) storing said media record within said electronic system into a media storage;

(c) repeating steps (a) and (b) for additional media records;

(d) uploading said media storage to said control station;

(e) determining an identity of media that corresponds with each said media record of said media storage; and

(f) generating a configuration data for said electronic system that allows said electronic system to display a media guide.

8. The method of using a remote control multimedia content listing system of

claim 7

, including the step of:

(g) transferring said configuration data to said electronic system.

9. The method of using a remote control multimedia content listing system of

claim 8

, including the step of:

(h) storing said configuration data within said electronic system.

10. The method of using a remote control multimedia content listing system of

claim 9

, including the step of:

(i) displaying said media guide upon said display.

11. A method of using a remote control multimedia content listing system having an electronic system with a communication device, an input device, a display and a means for communicating with a control station, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) accessing a web page of said control station;

(b) inputting media data into said web page; and

(c) generating a configuration data for said electronic system that allows said electronic system to display a media guide.

12. The method of using a remote control multimedia content listing system of

claim 11

, including the step of:

(d) transferring said configuration data to said electronic system.

13. The method of using a remote control multimedia content listing system of

claim 12

, including the step of:

(e) storing said configuration data within said electronic system.

14. The method of using a remote control multimedia content listing system of

claim 13

, including the step of:

(f) displaying said media guide upon said display.

15. The method of using a remote control multimedia content listing system of

claim 11

, wherein said media guide includes a television guide.

16. The method of using a remote control multimedia content listing system of

claim 11

, wherein said media guide includes a music guide.

17. The method of using a remote control multimedia content listing system of

claim 16

, wherein said music guide is comprised of information relating to music media contained within a user'"'"'s home stereo system.

18. The method of using a remote control multimedia content listing system of

claim 16

, wherein said music guide is comprised of information relating to compact discs contained within a user'"'"'s home stereo system.

19. The method of using a remote control multimedia content listing system of

claim 18

, including the steps of:

(d) selecting a media event to be displayed or listened to by said user;

(e) transmitting a control signal to an electronic device to play said media event.