System and method for using image data in connection with configuring a universal controlling device
First Claim
1. A method for configuring a universal controlling device to enable the universal controlling device to communicate commands to a plurality of target appliances, comprising:
- receiving at an Internet server system having an associated database of images that have been cross-referenced to identifier data for a plurality of appliances and configuration information for the plurality of appliances a single image and a user provided designation of the plurality of target appliances within the single image;
using the Internet server system to discern a plurality of images from the associated database as being a match for each of the plurality of target appliances designated by the user within the single image; and
using at least a subset of the configuration information that has been cross-referenced to the matched images to enable the universal controlling device to communicate commands to the plurality of target appliances wherein the configuration information comprises a macro command sequence whereby the universal controlling device is usable to transmit commands for commanding multiple operations of at least one of the plurality of target appliances in response to activation of a single input element of the universal controlling device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A user provides to an image recognition system an image that is intended to be used to identify one or more appliances that are to be controlled by a universal controlling device. The image recognition system has access to a database of images that have been cross-referenced to appliances and configuration information for those appliances. The image recognition system uses the provided image to identify one or more appliances to be controlled using the universal controlling device and, accordingly, the configuration information for those one or more appliances so identified. The configuration information may then be provided to a user for manual provision to the universal controlling device or be provided in a form for downloading into the universal controlling device, whether directly or via an intermediate device. The configuration information may also be provided to an intermediate device which has programming for use in connection with a process of configuring the universal controlling device.
96 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for configuring a universal controlling device to enable the universal controlling device to communicate commands to a plurality of target appliances, comprising:
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receiving at an Internet server system having an associated database of images that have been cross-referenced to identifier data for a plurality of appliances and configuration information for the plurality of appliances a single image and a user provided designation of the plurality of target appliances within the single image; using the Internet server system to discern a plurality of images from the associated database as being a match for each of the plurality of target appliances designated by the user within the single image; and using at least a subset of the configuration information that has been cross-referenced to the matched images to enable the universal controlling device to communicate commands to the plurality of target appliances wherein the configuration information comprises a macro command sequence whereby the universal controlling device is usable to transmit commands for commanding multiple operations of at least one of the plurality of target appliances in response to activation of a single input element of the universal controlling device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification