Automatically pairing remote

• US 9,210,357 B1
• Filed: 03/13/2013
• Issued: 12/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Dong, Ke, Chan, Yut Loy, Moore, Sherry Qianhong
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): Obiniyi, Paul
• Application Number:
  US13/799,794
• Time in Patent Office: 1,000 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.1, 340/10.5, 340/12.4, 340/12.5, 340/12.53, 340/13.21, 340/13.22, 340/13.24, 340/13.25, 340/13.26, 340/13.27, 340/286.01, 340/286.02, 340/539.25
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/20 Binding and programming of remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42221 Transmission circuitry, e.g. infrared [IR] or radio frequency [RF]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4367 Establishing a secure communication between the client and a peripheral device or smart card

Abstract

A remote control for a set-top box is configured to communicate with the set-top box using first and second wavelengths. In one embodiment, the remote control automatically performs Bluetooth pairing with the set-top box when the remote control is in proximity to the set-top box and the user presses a button on the remote, such as a “Power” button or other designated button. The remote control may wirelessly transmit a unique ID to the set-top box for the pairing process using the first wavelength, such as infrared. When paired, the set-top box may accept commands from the remote control transmitted using the second wavelengths, e.g., Bluetooth.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a first device; and

a second device remote from the first device, wherein the second device comprises;

a processor configured to execute instructions;

a first transmitter;

a second transmitter; and

a memory storing instructions accessible by the processor, wherein the instructions comprise;

receiving, at the second device, user input associated with a first event code instructing the first device to perform a first function;

transmitting the first event code to the first device in response to the user input;

transmitting, using the first transmitter, an identifier of the second device to the first device in response to the user input and via a first wireless signal within a first frequency range;

receiving, from the first device via a wireless signal within a second frequency range that is different than the first frequency range, an indication that the first device will accept event codes from the second device associated with the identifier; and

transmitting, using the second transmitter,

a second event code instructing the first device to perform a second function to the first device and via a wireless signal within the second frequency range.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein receiving the user input comprises detecting that a user has pressed a component on the surface of the first device that identifies the first function.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the component on the surface of the first second device is a power button.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the first device is a set-top box for outputting video signals and the second device is a remote control for the set-top box.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the first frequency range is within the infrared spectrum.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the first frequency range requires the second device to be at a position indicating that the user likely wants to operate the first device with the second device.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the second frequency range does not require the second device to be at a position indicating that the user likely wants to operate the first device with the second device.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the second frequency range consists of frequencies used by devices in accordance with a wireless standard defined by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (“

IEEE”

) 802.11 standard.