Universal remote control system with device activated setup
AssigneeUniversal Electronics Inc.
InventorsGregory L. Johns, James N. Conway, Jr., Patrick H. Hayes
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A universal remote control system with device activated set up wherein the device to be controlled such as a TV, VCR or other consumer electronic product, and the associated remote control unit are pre-programmed and adapted to automatically reconfigure the remote control unit to communicate with a device to be controlled as soon as said device is connected to its power source.
Claims21
A method for readying an electronic device for operation, the method comprising:
- periodically transmitting an identification signal;
- determining if a command has been received from a control device adapted to control the operation of the electronic device, the command being sent from the control device in response to the identification signal;
- if it is determine that the command has been received from the control device, ceasing the transmission of the identification signal;
- and
- if it is determined that the command has not been received from the control device, determining if the command has been received from a source other than the control device and, if it is determined that the command has been received from a source other than the control device, ceasing the transmission of the identification signal and causing the electronic device to perform the command.
A readable media having instructions for readying an electronic device for operation, the instructions performing steps comprising:
- periodically transmitting an identification signal;
- determining if a command has been received from a control device adapted to command the operation of the electronic device, the command being sent from the control device in response to the identification signal;
- if it is determine that the command has been received from the control device, ceasing the transmission of the identification signal;
- and
- if it is determined that the command has not been received from the control device, determining if the command has been received from a source other than the control device and, if it is determined that the command has been received from a source other than the control device, ceasing the transmission of the identification signal and causing the electronic device to perform the command.
In a control device configured to transmit a command in a format recognized by a first electronic device, a method for adapting the control device to transmit the command in a format recognized by a second electronic device, the method comprising:
- sensing an activation of a key that initiates transmission of the command;
- determining if the second electronic device is present;
- if it is determined that the second electronic device is present, transmitting the command in the format recognized by the second electronic device;
- and
- if it is determined that the second device is not present, transmitting the command in the format recognized by the first electronic device.
A readable media having instructions for causing a control device configured to transmit a command in a format recognized by a first electronic device to transmit the command in a format recognized by a second electronic device, the instructions performing the steps comprising:
- sensing an activation of a key on the control device the activation of which initiates transmission of the command;
- determining if the second electronic device is present;
- if it is determined that the second electronic device is present, transmitting from the control device the command in the format recognized by the second electronic device;
- and
- if it is determined that the second device is not present, transmitting from the control device the command in the format recognized by the first electronic device.
A system with device activated setup and control, the system comprising:
- an electronic device;
- a remote control adapted to command the operation of the electronic device;
- wherein the electronic device comprises a means for periodically transmitting an identification signal and the remote control comprises a means for sensing an activation of a key that initiates transmission of a command, a means for determining if the electronic device is transmitting the identification signal, and means for transmitting the command in a first format not recognized by the electronic device if it is determined that the electronic device is not transmitting the identification signal and for transmitting the command in a second format recognized by the electronic device if it is determined that the electronic device is transmitting the identification signal;
- and
- wherein the electronic device further comprises a means for determining if the remote control is transmitting the command signal in the second format and a means for ceasing the transmitting of the identification signal if it is determined that the remote control is transmitting the command signal in the second format.
In a remote control having command keys and a memory in which are stored a plurality of codes for use in causing the transmission of commands in formats recognized by a plurality of different electronic devices, a method for adapting the remote control to transmit commands in a format recognized by a selected one of the plurality of electronic devices, the method comprising:
- receiving from the selected one of the plurality of electronic devices an identifying message;
- and
- using the identifying message to map to the command keys selected ones of the plurality of codes stored in the memory such that subsequent activation of a command key causes the remote control to transmit a corresponding command in the format recognized by the selected one of the plurality of electronic devices.
A readable media having instructions for configuring a remote control comprising command keys and a memory in which are stored a plurality of codes for use in causing the transmission of commands in formats recognized by a plurality of different electronic devices, the instructions performing the steps comprising:
- listening for an identifying message transmitted from a selected one of the plurality of electronic devices;
- and
- using the identifying message to map to the command keys selected ones of the plurality of codes stored in the memory such that subsequent activation of a command key causes the remote control to transmit a corresponding command in a format recognized by the selected one of the plurality of electronic devices.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.