State-based remote control system

• US 20010045819A1
• Filed: 03/12/2001
• Published: 11/29/2001
• 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 6,784,805 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 323/371
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/00 Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical 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 2201/50 Receiving or transmitting feedback, e.g. replies, status updates, acknowledgements, from the controlled devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/92 Universal remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2814 Exchanging control software or macros for controlling appliance services in a home automation network arrangements for maintenance or administration involving configuration of the network and network elements H04L41/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204

Abstract

A state-based remote control system for providing efficient and simple operation of a plurality of electronic devices as a coordinated system based upon an overall task. The state-based remote control system includes a housing, a keypad in communication with an electronic system contained within the housing, and a communication device in communication with the electronic system for communicating with external electronic devices. The electronic system monitors the buttons selected by a user to determine the state of all external electronic devices that are to be controlled. When the user selects a task (e.g. watch television), the electronic system automatically determines the actions required to achieve the desired task based upon the current state of the external electronic devices. After the task has been fulfilled, the electronic system updates the data to reflect the modified state of the external electronic devices.

Claims

1. A state-based remote control system, comprising:

a housing;

an electronic system capable of storing and updating current state data relating to at least one external electronic device;

a communication device connected to said electronic system for emitting a control signal to said at least one external electronic device; and

an input means connected to said electronic system for controlling said electronic system.

2. The state-based remote control system of

claim 1

, wherein said input means includes a keypad having a plurality of buttons.

3. The state-based remote control system of

claim 2

, wherein said input means includes a display.

4. The state-based remote control system of

claim 1

, wherein said electronic system is capable of performing tasks based upon desired state data as compared to said current state data.

5. The state-based remote control system of

claim 4

, wherein said electronic system only modifies a state of an electronic device that has a current state that does not match a desired state.

6. The state-based remote control system of

claim 1

, wherein said communication device is able to transmit and receive data.

7. The state-based remote control system of

claim 1

, wherein said electronic system is programmable to allow for the control of a plurality of external electronic devices.

8. A method of operating a state-based remote control system having an electronic system with a communication device and an input device for controlling a plurality of external electronic devices, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) determining a current state data of said external electronic devices;

(b) receiving an action request from said input device;

(c) performing said action request; and

(d) modifying said current state data to reflect new state of said external electronic devices.

9. The method of operating a state-based remote control system of

claim 8

, wherein said step (a) comprises asking a series of questions of a user regarding the state of each of said external electronic devices.

10. The method of operating a state-based remote control system of

claim 8

, wherein said step (a) comprises assuming all of said external electronic devices are in a predetermined state.

11. A method of operating a state-based remote control system having an electronic system with a communication device and an input device for controlling a plurality of external electronic devices, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) determining a current state data of said external electronic devices;

(b) receiving a task request from said input device, wherein said task request has a desired state data stored within said electronic system;

(c) determining which of said external electronic devices require a modification to their respective state forming a change group; and

(d) modifying each external electronic device within said change group to conform to said desired state data.

12. The method of operating a state-based remote control system of

claim 11

, including the following step:

(e) updating said current state data to reflect new state of said external electronic devices modified within said change group.

13. The method of operating a state-based remote control system of

claim 11

, wherein said step (a) comprises asking a series of questions of a user regarding the state of each of said external electronic devices.

14. The method of operating a state-based remote control system of

claim 11

, wherein said step (a) comprises assuming all of said external electronic devices are in a predetermined state.

15. The method of operating a state-based remote control system of

claim 11

, wherein said step (c) comprises comparing said current state data with said desired state data.

16. The method of operating a state-based remote control system of

claim 11

, including the step of:

(e) displaying a menu containing at least one task that are dependent upon a state of said external electronic devices.