Programmable remote unit for operating a communication device

A method of controlling a function of a mobile communication device by a remote unit that is distanced from the mobile communication device, the method comprising the steps of:

• programming a mobile communication device by:
• identifying the remote unit through a wireless interface;
• initiating a mapping function at the mobile communication device;
• receiving, at the mobile communication device, user input identifying a user-selected function of the communication device;
• receiving, at the mobile communication device, a control signal from the remote unit corresponding to a user-selected control on the remote unit;
• and
• associating, at the mobile communication device, the user-selected function with the control signal;
• and
• thereafter, receiving the control signal from the remote unit and performing the user-selected function at the mobile communication device responsive to the control signal.

A method of operating a mobile communication device from a remote unit located a distance from the mobile communication device, the method comprising the steps of:

• programming a mobile communication device by:
• identifying the remote unit over a short range wireless interface;
• initiating a mapping function at the mobile communication device;
• receiving, at the mobile communication device, a control signal from the remote unit corresponding to a user-selected control on the remote unit;
• assigning, at the mobile communication device, a first user-selected function of the communication device to the remote unit;
• and
• assigning, at the mobile communication device, the control signal to the first user-selected function;
• and
• thereafter, receiving the control signal from the remote unit and performing the first user-selected function at the mobile communication device responsive to the control signal.

A method of controlling a function of a mobile communication device by a remote unit that is distanced from the mobile communication device, the method comprising the steps of:

• programming a mobile communication device by:
• identifying the remote unit over a short-range interface;
• displaying, at the mobile communication device, a plurality of functions that are performed by the communication device;
• receiving, at the mobile communication device, input from a user identifying a user-selected function from the plurality of functions;
• receiving, at the mobile communication device, a control signal from the remote unit corresponding to a user-selected control on the remote unit;
• and
• associating, at the mobile communication device, the control signal with the user-selected function;
• and
• thereafter, receiving the control signal from the remote unit and performing the user-selected function at the mobile communication device responsive to the control signal.

A mobile communication device comprising:

• a cellular radio transceiver;
• a short-range wireless transceiver;
• and
• a processor configured to:
• program the mobile communication device to perform a user-selected function by:
• communicating with a remote unit to receive user input identifying the user-selected function;
• receiving a control signal from the remote unit corresponding to a user-selected control on the remote unit;
• and
• executing a mapping function to associate the user-selected function with the control signal;
• and
• perform the user-selected function when the control signal is thereafter received from the remote unit.