Optically programmable controller

A method for operating a remotely controlled device responsive to infra-red signals transmitted in a particular format, said method comprising the steps of:

• transmitting command data to a programmable controller as a plurality of pulses of light from the video display by producing a series of vertically displaced, horizontal lines on the video display;
• converting the command data into a command sequence in said format;
• and
• transmitting the command sequence to the device as a plurality of pulses of light.

An optically programmable controller comprising:

• a photodetector for converting pulses of light into electrical pulses;
• a photoemitter for producing pulses of light;
• a microcontroller interconnecting said photodetector and said photoemitter, said microcontroller being programmed to convert said electrical pulses into command data;
• a memory coupled to said microcontroller for storing a set of primitives and said command data;
• wherein said microcontroller executes a sub-set of said primitives in a sequence determined by said command data.