System, method and interface for controlling multiple electronic devices of a home entertainment system via a single control device

• US 20060158368A1
• Filed: 01/20/2005
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sbc Knowledge Ventures, L.P.
• Original Assignee: Sbc Knowledge Ventures, L.P.
• Inventors: Walter, Edward, Diroo, Yolius
• Granted Patent: US 7,436,346 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 341/176
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/42 Transmitting or receiving remote control signals via a network
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/93 Remote control using other portable devices, e.g. mobile phone, PDA, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared

Abstract

A portable communication device is provided and includes a display. At least one remote control soft button is presented at the display and an electronic device control command is associated with each remote control soft button. Further, the electronic device control command is enabled in response to a code received at the portable communication device from a service provider. The portable communication device also includes a keypad that can be used to select the remote control soft button. Further, the electronic device control command is selected from the group consisting of: play, stop, pause, volume up, volume down, record, channel up, channel down, fast forward, and rewind. Additionally, the portable communication device includes a text input field and a send button that are presented at the display. The portable communication device selectively can control a selected remote electronic device using the at least one electronic device control command.

Claims

1. A portable communication device, comprising:

a display; and

at least one remote control soft button presented at the display, wherein an electronic device control command is associated with the at least one remote control soft button and wherein the electronic device control command is enabled in response to a code received at the portable communication device from a service provider.

2. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising a keypad, wherein the at least one remote control soft button is selectable using the keypad.

3. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein the at least one electronic device control command is selected from the group consisting of:

play, stop, pause, volume up, volume down, record, channel up, channel down, fast forward, and rewind.

4. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising a text input field and a send button presented at the display.

5. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein the portable communication device selectively controls a selected remote electronic device using the at least one electronic device control command.

6. The portable communication device of claim 5, wherein the selected remote electronic device is selected from the group consisting of:

a digital video disc player, a compact disc player, a television, an MP3 player, an audio receiver, and a set top box.

7. The portable communication device of claim 5, further comprising a radio frequency transceiver, wherein the portable communication device communicates the at least one electronic device control command to the selected electronic device via the radio frequency transceiver.

8. The portable communication device of claim 5, further comprising an infrared transceiver, wherein the portable communication device communicates the at least one electronic device control command to the selected electronic device via the infrared transceiver.

9. The portable communication device of claim 5, further comprising a short message system module, wherein the portable communication device communicates the at least one electronic device control command to the selected electronic device via the short message system module.

10. A method of controlling a remote electronic device, comprising:

receiving a selection of the remote electronic device at a portable communication device;

determining whether a control interface corresponding to the electronic device is enabled at the portable communication device; and

transmitting a request to a service provider for a code associated with activating the control interface.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising receiving the code.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising executing the code at the portable communication device to enable the control interface.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising receiving a cost of the code at the portable communication device.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising transmitting payment information to the service provider via the portable communication device.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising sending a control command from the portable communication device to the remote electronic device via one or more radio frequency signals.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising sending a control command from the portable communication device to the remote electronic device via one or more infrared signals.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising sending a control command from the portable communication device to the remote electronic device via one or more text messages.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the portable communication device communicates with the service provider via a public switched portable communication device network.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein the portable communication device communicates with the service provider via a wireless communications network.

20. A user interface displayed on a display area of a portable communication device, the user interface comprising:

a list of electronic devices that are remotely controllable via the portable communication device.

21. The user interface of claim 20, further comprising an electronic device control interface associated with at least one of the electronic devices identified on the list.

22. The user interface of claim 21, wherein the electronic device control interface is presented after the at least one electronic device is selected from the list of electronic devices.

23. The user interface of claim 22, wherein the electronic device control interface comprises a control icon associated with a function of the at least one electronic device.

24. The user interface of claim 23, wherein the electronic device control interface further comprises a text input field and a send button.

25. The user interface of claim 24, wherein the electronic device is selected from the group consisting of:

a digital video disc player, a compact disc player, a television, an MP3 player, an audio receiver, and a set top box.

26. The user interface of claim 23, wherein the control icon is selected from the group consisting of:

play, stop, pause, volume up, volume down, record, channel up, channel down, fast forward, and rewind.