Programming a remote control device using RFID technology

• US 7,116,229 B1
• Filed: 03/31/2004
• Issued: 10/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ZiLOG Incorporated (Littelfuse Incorporated)
• Inventors: Miramontes, Oscar
• Primary Examiner(s): GOINS, DAVETTA WOODS
• Application Number:
  US10/814,708
• Time in Patent Office: 916 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.2, 340/572.7, 340/572.8, 340/10.1, 340/10.5, 340/10.52, 340/10.51, 340/539.1, 340/825.22, 340/825.72, 340/572.4, 340/14.3, 340/825.69, 341/176, 235/462.45, 235/462.46
• US Class Current: 340/12.28
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/20 Binding and programming of remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/202 by remote control

Abstract

A system for programming a remote control device incorporates a battery-powered radio frequency identification (RFID) reader into the remote control device. A passive RFID transponder is embedded into the electronic consumer device, or is otherwise provided to the consumer. The RFID transponder stores codeset data usable to control the electronic consumer device. In one example, the codeset data is an entire codeset. In another example, the codeset data is a designation of a codeset. The remote control device is placed in proximity to the RFID transponder, and a program key is pressed on the remote thereby causing the RFID reader in the remote control device to read the codeset data out of the RFID transponder and into the remote control device. In one embodiment, the codeset data is read from the RFID transponder using absorption modulation. The codeset data enables the remote control device to control the electronic consumer device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

(a) receiving a programming signal onto an RFID reader in a remote control device, wherein the programming signal conveys a complete codeset, wherein the programming signal is conveyed to the RFID reader by an RFID transponder that is part of a codeset card.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein multiple codesets are stored on the codeset card.

2. A method comprising:

(a) receiving a programming signal onto an RFID reader in a remote control device, wherein the programming signal conveys a complete codeset, wherein the complete codeset comprises a table of codeset information and a table of modulation, timing and framing protocols.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the complete codeset includes codeset key data that correspond to a function of an electronic consumer device.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein the programming signal conveys a complete second codeset, wherein the table of modulation, timing and framing protocols includes a modulation protocol, and wherein the complete codeset and the complete second codeset share the modulation protocol.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein the table of codeset information and the table of modulation, timing and framing protocols have a total size, and wherein the total size is less than one hundred bytes.

4. A method comprising:

(a) receiving a programming signal onto an RFID reader in a remote control device, wherein the programming signal conveys a complete codeset, wherein the complete codeset comprises a digital key code number and timing information, and wherein the timing information describes a digital one and a digital zero.

5. A device comprising:

an RFID reader module;

a coupling element; and

a transmitter, wherein the RFID reader module receives a programming signal from the coupling element, wherein the programming signal conveys a complete codeset, wherein the complete codeset includes codeset key data, wherein the transmitter transmits an operational signal containing the codeset key data, and wherein the complete codeset comprises a table of codeset information and a table of modulation, timing and framing protocols.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the table of codeset information and the table of modulation, timing and framing protocols have a total size, and wherein the total size is less than one hundred bytes.

11. The device of claim 5, wherein the programming signal conveys a complete second codeset, wherein the table of modulation, timing and framing protocols includes a modulation protocol, and wherein the complete codeset and the complete second codeset share the modulation protocol.

7. A method comprising:

(a) receiving a programming signal onto an RFID reader in a remote control device, wherein the programming signal conveys a complete codeset, wherein the programming signal is conveyed to the RFID reader by an RFID transponder that is part of an electronic consumer device, wherein the electronic consumer device has a power cord, and wherein the RFID transponder is powered by a magnetic field leaking out of the power cord of the electronic consumer device.