US 7,612,685 B2Granted

Online remote control configuration system

AssigneeLogitech Europe S.A.

InventorsGlen McLean Harris, Justin M. Henry

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Abstract

An online remote control configuration system for efficiently programming a remote control to recognize a plurality of external electronic devices. The online remote control configuration system includes a remote control having a housing, a keypad, and an electronic system for receiving configuration data from a control station via a global computer network (e.g. Internet). The user preferably “samples” one or more signals from a remote control into the electronic system and then uploads the samples to the control station. The control station analyzes the uploaded samples and transmits the appropriate configuration data to properly configure the electronic system. The user may also access a web site of the control station and manually select each of the external electronic devices that the remote control is to operate after which the control station sends the appropriate configuration data to the electronic system.

Claims8

Dependent claims

A method for programming a set of command codes into a first remote control device comprising:

receiving in the first remote control device a command code from a second remote control device that is configured to control a controlled appliance, wherein the command code is included in the set of command codes;
storing the command code in an electronic system of the first remote control;
transmitting the command code from the first remote control over the Internet to a web site server;
determining in the web site server whether the command code is in one set of command codes;
if the command code is in the set of command codes:
transmitting the set of command codes over the Internet from the web site server to the first remote control;
and
configuring the first remote control to control the controlled appliance based on the set of command codes;
if the command code is in multiple sets of command codes:
transmitting a direction from the web site server to the first remote control for the user to control the first remote control to sample an additional command code from second remote control;
repeating the receiving step, the storing step, the first mentioned transmitting step, and the determining step for the additional command code;
sending the set of command codes over the Internet from the web site server to the first remote control;
and
configuring the first remote control to control the controlled appliance based on the set of command codes.

11 more elements

A method for programming a set of command codes into a first remote control device comprising:

receiving in the first remote control device a command code from a second remote control device that is configured to control a controlled appliance, wherein the command code is included in the set of command codes;
storing the command code in an electronic system of the first remote control;
transmitting the command code from the first remote control over the Internet to a web site server;
determining in the web site server whether the command code is in one set of command codes;
if the command code is in the set of command codes:
transmitting the set of command codes over the Internet from the web site server to the first remote control;
and
configuring the first remote control to control the controlled appliance based on the set of command codes;
if the command code is in multiple sets of command codes:
transmitting a direction from the web site server to the first remote control for the user to control the first remote control to sample an additional command code from second remote control;
repeating the receiving step, the storing step, the first mentioned transmitting step, and the determining step for the additional command code;
and
if the web site server determines that command code and the additional command code are in the set of command codes and are not in other sets of command codes, sending the set of command codes over the Internet from the web site server to the first remote control;
and configuring the first remote control to control the controlled appliance based on the set of command codes;
if the command code and additional command code are in multiple sets of command codes:
displaying a list of controlled appliances that is associated with the multiple sets of command codes;
prompting the user to select a controlled appliance from the list of controlled appliances that matches the first mentioned controlled appliance to identify the set of command codes;
based on the user selection from the list, transmitting the set of command codes over the Internet from the web site server to the first remote control;
and
configuring the first remote control to control the first mentioned controlled appliance based on the set of command codes.

17 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/839,970Filed 5 May 2004 · continuation
Priority: 15 Mar 2000
Published: US 2005/0052423 A110 Mar 2005
Granted: 3 Nov 2009
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

G08C 17/02
Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link: using a radio link
G08C 19/28
In which transmission is by pulses: using pulse code
G08C 23/04
Non-electrical signal transmission systems, e.g. optical systems: using light waves, e.g. infrared
G08C 2201/21
Binding and programming of remote control devices: programming remote control devices via third means

Family

Application60/189,487Us provisional application · filed 15 Mar 2000
Application09/804,623Parent of this continuation · filed 12 Mar 2001
US 2005/0052423 A1Pre-grant publication · published 10 Mar 2005
US 2001/0033243 A1Published application
US 7,612,685 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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