Remote controller, remote control interface, and remote control system including a remote controller and a remote control interface

A remote controller for controlling an electronic device having stored therein a plurality of control codes which are employable by the remote controller for activating corresponding operational functions in the electronic device, comprising:

• a trigger signal transmitter for transmitting a trigger signal for causing the electronic device to transmit a response signal which includes a plurality of control codes which are employable by the remote controller to activate corresponding operational functions in the electronic device;
• a receiver for receiving the response signal;
• a memory for storing the plurality of control codes retrieved from the response signal;
• a data generator for selectively retrieving a control code from among the plurality of control codes having been stored in the memory;
• and
• a control signal transmitter for modulating the control code retrieved by the data generator to generate a control signal, and transmitting the generated control signal to the electronic device to activate a corresponding operational function in the electronic device.

A remote control interface for receiving a control signal transmitted from a remote controller and transmitting the control signal to an electronic device, the remote control interface comprising:

• a receiver for receiving a signal transmitted from the remote controller;
• a signal generator having stored therein a device code which specifically identifies the type of the electronic device for generating a response signal containing the device code;
• and
• a transmitter for, when the signal is a control signal, transmitting the control signal to the electronic device in order that the control signal activates a corresponding operational function of the electronic device, and for, when the signal is a trigger signal demanding the response signal, automatically transmitting the response signal to the remote controller whereby the response signal is operative to identify from the device code for the remote controller the specific type of the electronic device.

A remote control system for controlling an electronic device including a remote controller and a remote control interface, wherein:

• the remote controller includes:
• a memory for storing a plurality of control codes for each of a plurality of different types of electronic devices, wherein the plurality of control codes for a corresponding type of electronic device are employable by the remote controller to activate corresponding operational functions in the corresponding type of electronic device;
• a trigger signal transmitter for transmitting a trigger signal for causing the remote control interface to transmit a response signal containing a device code which specifically identifies the type of the electronic device;
• a receiver for receiving the response signal;
• and
• a control signal transmitter for selecting control codes from among the plurality of control codes stored in the memory based on the identity of the type of the electronic device as determined automatically from the device code contained in the received response signal, generating control signals based on the selected control codes, and transmitting the generated control signals to the remote control interface in order to activate the corresponding operational functions in the electronic device, and
• the remote control interface includes:
• a receiver for receiving a signal transmitted from the remote controller;
• a signal generator having stored therein the device code for generating the response signal;
• and
• a transmitter for, when the signal is a control signal, transmitting the control signal to the electronic device in order that the control signal activates a corresponding operational function of the electronic device, and for, when the signal is a trigger signal demanding the response signal, transmitting the response signal to the remote controller whereby the response signal is operative to identify from the device code for the remote controller the specific type of the electronic device.

A remote control system for controlling an electronic device including a remote controller and a remote control interface, wherein:

• the remote controller includes:
• a trigger signal transmitter for transmitting a trigger signal for causing the remote control interface to transmit a response signal which includes a plurality of control codes which are employable by the remote controller to activate corresponding operational functions in the electronic device;
• a receiver for receiving the response signal;
• a first memory for storing the plurality of control codes retrieved from the response signal;
• a data generator for selectively retrieving a control code from among the plurality of control codes having been stored in the first memory;
• and
• a control signal transmitter for modulating the control code retrieved by the data generator to generate a control signal, and transmitting the generated control signal to the remote control interface to activate a corresponding operational function in the electronic device, and
• the remote control interface includes:
• a receiver for receiving a signal transmitted from the remote controller;
• a second memory having stored therein the plurality of control codes;
• and
• a transmitter for, when the signal is the control signal, transmitting the control code included in the control signal to the electronic device in order that the control code activates the corresponding operational function of the electronic device, and for, when the signal is a trigger signal requesting the plurality of control codes, transmitting the response signal including the plurality of control codes stored in the second memory to the remote controller.