IR pairing for RF4CE remote controls

A method of pairing a remote control device and a target device, the method comprising:

• receiving, at the target device, in a first macro control signal, a first set of commands from the remote control device, the first set of commands including a power-on command to turn ON the target device, and a pairing command to pair the target device to the remote control device:
• in response to receiving the power-on command, turning-on the target device;
• in response to receiving the pairing command, initiating, by the target device, a pairing procedure with the remote control device;
• subsequently receiving, at the target device in a second macro control signal, a second set of commands from the remote control device, the second set of commands including an unpairing command to unpair the target device from the remote control device, and a power-off command to turn OFF the target device;
• in response to receiving the unpairing command, performing, by the target device, an unpairing procedure with the remote control device;
• and
• in response to receiving the power-off command, turning-off the target device.

In a target device controllable by at least one remote control device, and communicably coupleable to a server computer over at least one communications network, a method of pairing of the target device to the at least one remote control device, the method comprising:

• receiving, at the target device in a first macro control signal, a first set of commands from the remote control device, the first set of commands including at least a power-on command for turning-on the target device, and a pairing command for pairing the target device to the remote control device, the pairing command including a pair request with an identification code of the remote control device, the target device having an associated network address;
• in response to receiving the power-on command, turning-on the target device;
• in response to receiving the pairing command, initiating, by the target device, a pairing procedure with the remote control device;
• upon completion of the pairing procedure, transmitting, over the communications network by the target device, the identification code for the remote control device and the network address associated with the target device, to the server computer;
• arbitrating, by the server computer, the pairing of the remote control device with at least one other target device on the communications network, using at least the identification code for the remote control device, and the network address associated with the target device;
• subsequently receiving, at the target device in a second macro control signal, a second set of commands from the remote control device, the second set of commands including at least an unpairing command for unpairing the target device from the remote control device, and a power-off command for turning-off the target device;
• in response to the unpairing command, performing, by the target device, an unpairing procedure with the remote control device;
• and
• in response to the power-off command, turning-off the target device.

A remote control device for controlling at east one pairable device, the remote control device comprising:

• at least one macro pushbutton;
• a memory;
• and
• a processor operative to:
• assign a first set of commands to the at least one macro pushbutton, the first set of commands including at least a first power-on command and a pairing command, wherein a first activation of the macro pushbutton is operable to cause the remote control device to transmit the first power-on command for turning-on a target device, and to transmit the pairing command to pair the target device to the remote control device;
• and
• assign a second set of commands to the at least one macro pushbutton, the second set of commands including at least an unpairing command and a first power-off command, wherein a subsequent activation of the macro pushbutton is operable to cause the remote control device to transmit the unpairing command for unpairing the target device from the remote control device, and to transmit the first power-off command for turning-off the pairable device,
• thereby allowing stateless pairing of the target device to the remote control device.

A target device controllable by a remote control device, the target device comprising:

• a transceiver;
• memory;
• and
• a processor operative to:
• receive, in a first macro control signal, a first set of commands from the remote control device, the first set of commands including at least a power-on command for turning-on the target device, and a pairing command for pairing the target device to the remote control device;
• in response to the power-on command, turn-on the target device;
• in response to the pairing command, to initiate a pairing procedure with the remote control device;
• subsequently receive, in a second macro control signal, a second set of commands from the remote control device, the second set of commands including at least an unpairing command for unpairing the target device from the remote control device, and a power-off command for turning-off the target device;
• in response to the unpairing command, perform an unpairing procedure with the remote control device;
• and
• in response to the power-off command, turn-off the target device,
• thereby allowing stateless pairing of the target device to the remote control device.