System and method for automatically setting up a universal remote control
First Claim
1. A method for configuring a remote control to command the operation of an appliance, comprising:
- receiving data that functions to identify the appliance;
using the data to retrieve command codes from a database located locally with respect to the remote control;
if the appliance is determined to respond to the command codes from the locally stored database, using the retrieved, locally stored command codes in the remote control to command the operation of the appliance; and
if the appliance is determined to not respond to the command codes from the locally stored database, using the data to retrieve command codes from a database located remotely with respect to the remote control and, if the appliance is then determined to respond to the command codes retrieved from the remotely stored database, using the retrieved, remotely stored command codes in the remote control to command the operation of the appliance.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for configuring a remote control to command the operation of appliances, to capture demographic data, and to provide services, such as automated warranty registration, instructions, viewing guides, etc., relevant to the appliances is provided. The system includes a database and associated server that are located remotely from the remote control and accessible via a network connection. Command codes, graphical user interface elements, and services are accessed and downloaded to the remote control, as appropriate, using data supplied to the server that identifies the appliances and/or functional capabilities of the appliances. This data can be supplied by the appliances directly or can be obtained from other sources such as barcode labels, network devices, etc.
198 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for configuring a remote control to command the operation of an appliance, comprising:
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receiving data that functions to identify the appliance; using the data to retrieve command codes from a database located locally with respect to the remote control; if the appliance is determined to respond to the command codes from the locally stored database, using the retrieved, locally stored command codes in the remote control to command the operation of the appliance; and if the appliance is determined to not respond to the command codes from the locally stored database, using the data to retrieve command codes from a database located remotely with respect to the remote control and, if the appliance is then determined to respond to the command codes retrieved from the remotely stored database, using the retrieved, remotely stored command codes in the remote control to command the operation of the appliance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A readable media having instructions for configuring a remote control to command the operation of an appliance, the instructions performing steps comprising:
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receiving data that functions to identify the appliance; using the data to retrieve command codes from a database located locally with respect to the remote control; using the retrieved, locally stored command codes in the remote control to command the operation of the appliance if an indication is provided that the appliance is determined to respond to the command codes from the locally stored database; and allowing for use of the data to retrieve command codes from a database located remotely with respect to the remote control and using the retrieved, remotely stored command codes in the remote control to command the operation of the appliance if the appliance is determined to respond to the command codes retrieved from the remotely stored database. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification