Universal remote controller having home automation function

A universal remote controller for generating an RF control signal for controlling a radio frequency based home automation network and for generating an IR control signal for controlling an infrared based electronic device, comprising:

• an IR signal generator which generates an infrared signal that is the IR control signal;
• an RF signal generator which generates a radio frequency signal that is the RF control signal;
• a user input interface including a first input mechanism and a second input mechanism, wherein the first input mechanism generates control information in response to an operation of the first input mechanism and the second input mechanism generates, in response to operation of the second input mechanism, a command to switch an operational mode of the universal remote controller between an IR control mode of operation in which operation of the first input mechanism causes only the IR signal generator to generate the IR control signal to control an electronic device, and an RF control mode of operation in which operation of the first input mechanism causes only the RF signal generator to generate the RF control signal to control a radio frequency based home automation network;
• a control unit connected to the IR signal generator, the RF signal generator and the user input interface, wherein the control unit receives the control information generated in response to the operation of the first input mechanism and the command generated in response to the operation of the second input mechanism, and generates an IR command that is sent to the IR signal generator causing the IR signal generator to generate the IR control signal based on the received control information in response to the command to switch the operational mode of the universal remote controller switching the universal remote controller to the IR control mode, and wherein the control unit translates the control information generated in response to the operation of the first input mechanism to an RF command causing the RF signal generator to generate the RF control signal in response to the command to switch the operational mode of the universal remote controller switching the universal remote controller to the RF control mode;
• a home automation module connected to the control unit via a communication interface, the home automation module receiving the RF command causing the RF signal generator to generate the RF control signal from the control unit via the communication interface in response to the universal remote controller being in the RF control mode, and generating a command producing the RF control signal;
• wherein the home automation module comprising an application specific integrated circuit, a transceiver and a memory;
• wherein the home automation module receives the control information generated in response to the operation of the first input mechanism while in the RF control mode and automatically generates and sends a command, via the communication interface, to the control unit to switch to the IR control mode, and produce IR control signals related to the control information input in the RF control mode.