US 5,410,326 A · Programmable remote control device for interacting with a plurality of remotely controlled devices

Abstract

A universal remote control device which is programmed to operate a variety of consumer products is disclosed. The device is connected over a bidirectional link to either a cable converter or a telephone interface for receiving programming information. A touch screen display is employed on the programmable remote control device for displaying icons of functions to be selected. By selecting a particular displayed icon, a command can be decoded and sent via an infrared link to one or more appliances. Infrared codes for operating a virtually unlimited number of devices can be supplied to the device over the bidirectional communications link. Further, a provision is provided to permit a telephone connection to be set up between the user's home and a facility advertising products or services over a cable television broadcast. The touch screen display will permit the actual display of these advertisements as messages received from the cable head end system. Orders may be placed from the universal remote control device based on these displayed advertisements.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A programmable universal remote control system for controlling a plurality of appliances comprising:

a converter for receiving multiple channel broadcasts from a television programming facility, and receiving a plurality of authorization commands from said television facility for operating said converter and said appliances;
and,
a remote control device connected via a communication link to said converter, said communication link transferring said commands to said remote control device, said remote control device including:
a microprocessor system for executing said commands;
a random access memory connected to said microprocessor system for storing commands received over said communications link;
a command selection device connected to said microprocessor system for selecting one of said commands for execution;
and,
means for applying control signals over said communications link to said converter authorizing said converter to receive a selected signal from said television programming facility in response to an execution of said selected commands.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Programmable remote control device for interacting with a plurality of remotely controlled devices

Life of this patent

Programmable remote control device for interacting with a plurality of remotely controlled devices

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21