System and method for adaptive programming of a remote control

A method of adaptively configuring a remote control to operate at least one device, comprising the steps of:

• (i) identifying to a configuration utility the at least one device to be controlled by the remote control;
• (ii) retrieving from a database of command sets for devices, the command set and capabilities of the identified at least one device;
• (iii) creating a configuration data set for operating the remote control to control the device using the retrieved command set and transferring that configuration data set to the remote control;
• (iv) using the remote control to operate the at least one device and storing a log of each event relating to the control of the device;
• (v) at intervals, analyzing the stored log of events to identify at least one pattern of interest indicating how the user of the remote control operates the device;
• (vi) altering the configuration data set in response to the at least one identified pattern of interest;
• and
• (vii) downloading the altered configuration data set to the remote control to alter how the remote control operates the at least one device.

A remote control system comprising:

• first and second remote controls, wherein the first remote control and/or the second remote control is configured to log and store information for user initiated events relating to commands transmitted from the first remote control to the second remote control, and the first remote control and second remote control are configured to operate in accordance with configuration data stored in these remote controls;
• a device database configured to store identifications of devices to be controlled by the remote controls and the command sets for those devices;
• an analysis module configured to analyze the log of user initiated events to identify one or more patterns of use in the log of use initiated events;
• and
• a configuration utility operable with the device database and the analysis module to create a configuration data set to operate the first remote control and the second remote control in accordance with at least one identified pattern of interest.

A method for configuring a first remote control and a second remote control to operate a set of electronic devices, comprising the steps of:

• identifying to a configuration utility the set of electronic devices configured to be controlled by the first and second remote control;
• retrieving from a database of command sets a command set for the set of electronic devices;
• transmitting from the first remote control to the second remote control a set of commands included the retrieved command set;
• storing in the first remote control and/or the second remote control a log of commands issued by the first remote control and/or the second remote control;
• at select intervals, analyzing the log of commands to identify at least one pattern of use of the first remote control and/or the second remote control;
• altering the command set in response to the at least one identified pattern of use;
• and
• transmitting the altered command set to the first remote control and/or the second remote control to alter how these remote controls operate the set of devices.

A remote control comprising:

• a processor configured to operate in accordance with a configuration data set to control a set of devices, and to generate a log of user-initiated events, which are for the control of a set of devices;
• a memory coupled to the processor and configured to store the log of user-initiated events;
• and
• an analysis module coupled to the processor and the memory, and configured to analyze the log of user-initiated events stored in the memory for one or more patterns of interest, wherein the processor is configured to execute a configuration utility operable to create an amended configuration data set, which include commands for the remote control to execute the pattern of interest to control the set of devices.

A remote control system comprising:

• a remote control configured to operate in accordance with a configuration data set to control a set of devices, and to generate a log of user-initiated events, which are for the control of a set of devices;
• a memory module configured to store the log of user-initiated events;
• an analysis module configured to receive the log of user-initiated events and analyze the log of user-initiated events for a pattern of interest;
• a configuration utility operable to create an amended configuration data set based on the pattern of interest, wherein the amended configuration data set includes commands for the remote control to execute the pattern of interest to control the set of devices.