Configurable remote control unit using a removable memory device

A system for programming a control device for communicating with and controlling the operation of a remotely located electronic apparatus comprising:

• a user interface for allowing a user to make control selections for operating the remote electronic apparatus;
• a display screen for displaying control functions for the user interface;
• a removable, programmable memory for storing therein control information for a particular electronic apparatus to be operated;
• a controller, responsive to the contents of the removable programmable memory, for generating control signals to operate the control device for controlling the operation of the remote electronic apparatus, in response to user control selections from the user interface;
• a transmitter and a receiver for transmitting control signals from the control device to the remote electronic apparatus;
• and
• a personal computer having a circuit for writing the control information into the removable programmable memory for a particular remote electronic apparatus.

A system for programming a control device for communicating with and controlling the operation of a remotely located electronic apparatus comprising:

• a user interface for allowing a user to make control selections for operating the remote electronic apparatus;
• a display screen for displaying control functions for the operation of the remote electronic apparatus;
• a removable, programmable memory for storing therein control information for a particular electronic apparatus to be operated;
• a controller, responsive to the contents of the removable programmable memory, for generating control signals to operate control device for controlling the operation of the remote electronic apparatus, in response to user control selections from the user interface;
• a transmitter for transmitting the control signals from the control device to the remote electronic apparatus;
• and
• means associated with the electronic apparatus to be controlled to transmit control information to load the removable programmable memory for operation of the control device.

A method for communicating with and controlling the operation of a remotely located electronic apparatus comprising the steps of:

• making control selections for operating the remote electronic apparatus from a user interface;
• displaying control functions on a display screen for the user interface;
• storing therein control information for a particular electronic apparatus to be operated in a removable, programmable memory;
• responsive to the contents of the removable programmable memory, generating control signals to operate the control device for controlling the operation of the remote electronic apparatus, in response to the control selections from the user interface;
• and
• transmitting the control signals to the remote electronic apparatus.

A method for programming a control device for communicating with and controlling the operation of a remotely located electronic, comprising the steps of:

• making control selections for operating the remote electronic apparatus from a user interface;
• displaying control functions on a display screen for the user interface;
• storing therein control information for a particular electronic apparatus to be operated in a removable, programmable memory;
• responsive to the contents of the removable programmable memory, generating control signals to operate the control device for controlling the operation of the remote electronic apparatus, in response to user control selections from the user interface;
• transmitting control signals from the control device to the remote electronic apparatus;
• and
• at a personal computer, writing the control information into the removable programmable memory for a particular remote electronic apparatus.

A method for programming a control device for communicating with and controlling the operation of a remotely located electronic apparatus, comprising the steps of:

• making control selections for operating the remote electronic apparatus from a user interface;
• displaying control functions on a display screen for the operation of the remote electronic apparatus;
• storing therein control information for a particular electronic apparatus to be operated in a removable, programmable memory;
• responsive to the contents of the removable programmable memory, generating control signals to operate control device for controlling the operation of the remote electronic apparatus, in response to user control selections from the user interface;
• transmitting the control signals from the control device to the remote electronic apparatus;
• and
• from means associated with the electronic apparatus to be controlled, transmitting control information to load the removable programmable memory for operation of the control device.