Method and system for using a personal digital assistant as a remote control

A system for controlling a device, comprising:

• a source for television program information;
• a personal digital assistant, wherein the personal digital assistant comprises:
• a computer readable medium with a computer program for receiving the television program information from the source, and
• a data storage medium coupled to the computer readable medium for storing the television program information,
• wherein the computer program comprises instructions for:
• receiving a query from a user,
• performing the query by searching the television program information in the data storage medium,
• displaying a result of the query, and
• selecting a television program from the result of the query;
• and
• an emulator coupled to the personal digital assistant for sending a signal to the device based upon the selected television program.

A method for controlling a device, comprising the steps of:

• (a) receiving television program information by a personal digital assistant;
• (b) storing the television program information in the personal digital assistant;
• (c) receiving a query from a user;
• (d) performing the query by searching the television program information in the personal digital assistant;
• (e) displaying a result of the query;
• (f) selecting a television program based upon the displayed result of the query;
• and
• (g) sending a signal to the device based upon the selected television program.

A system for controlling a device, comprising:

• a source for television program information;
• a computer for receiving the television program information in a first format from the source, converting the television program information to a second format, and filtering the converted television program information based upon user preferences;
• a transfer device coupled between the computer and a personal digital assistant for transferring the converted and filtered television program information from the computer to the personal digital assistant;
• the personal digital assistant for receiving the converted and filtered television program information from the computer, storing the converted and filtered television program information, receiving a query from a user, performing the query by searching the stored television program information, displaying a result of the query, and selecting a television program from the result of the query;
• and
• an emulator coupled to the personal digital assistant for sending a signal to the device based upon the selected television program.

A method for remote control of a device, comprising the steps of:

• (a) receiving television program information in a first format by a computer;
• (b) converting the television program information to a second format;
• (c) filtering the converted television program information based upon user preferences;
• (d) transferring the converted and filtered television program information to a personal digital assistant, wherein the personal digital assistant:
• (d1) receives a query from a user,
• (d2) performs the query by searching the converted and filtered television program, and
• (d3) displaying a result of the query;
• (e) selecting a television program based upon the result of the query;
• and
• (f) sending a signal to the device from the personal digital assistant based upon the selected television program.

A computer readable medium in a personal digital assistant with program instructions for controlling a device, comprising the instructions for:

• (a) receiving television program information;
• (b) receiving a query from a user;
• (c) performing the query by searching the television program information;
• (d) displaying a result of the query;
• (e) selecting a television program based upon the result of the query;
• and
• (f) sending a signal to the device based upon the selected television program.