Programming a universal remote control via direct interaction
AssigneeAT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
InventorsPaul Van Vleck, Steven M. Belz, Gregory Edwards, James Pratt
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and system for programming a universal remote control (URC) to operate with a remote-controlled device is disclosed. Programming codes for the remote-controlled device may be transferred from an original remote control using a programming interface. The transfer may be performed directly with the URC. The transfer may also be performed using consumer-premises equipment of a multimedia content distribution network. The URC may be configured to use at least one of the programming codes to remotely control the remote-controlled device.
Claims15
A method for configuring a universal remote control using consumer-premises equipment of a multimedia content distribution network, comprising:
- establishing a connection, between the consumer-premises equipment and an original remote control, to receive an original remote control code, wherein the connection is selected from a near-field wireless connection and a galvanic coupling;
- receiving, via an original remote control interface, an original remote control code describing output generated by the original remote control for controlling a remote-controlled device;
- and
- configuring the universal remote control to control the remote-controlled device by sending the original remote control code to the universal remote control.
A consumer-premises equipment for use within a client configuration of a multimedia content distribution network, comprising:
- a processor;
- and
- memory media accessible to the processor, including instructions executable by the processor to:
- receive first information from an original remote control identifying a remote-controlled device controllable by the original remote control;
- send a request to a multimedia content distribution network server for programming codes for the identified remote-controlled device;
- after sending the request, receive second information, including the programming codes;
- and
- program a universal remote control to use at least one of the programming codes.
Computer-readable memory media, including executable instructions for configuring a universal remote control, said instructions executable to:
- establish a near-field wireless connection with an original remote control for receiving a remote control code;
- receive the original remote control code from the original remote control via a programming interface;
- and
- use the original remote control code to control a remote-controlled device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.