U.S. patent application number 09/804623 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-25 for online remote control configuration system.
Invention is credited to Harris, Glen McLean, Henry, Justin M..
Application Number | 20010033243 09/804623 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26885204 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010033243 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Harris, Glen McLean ; et
al. |
October 25, 2001 |
Online remote control configuration system
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.
Inventors: |
Harris, Glen McLean;
(Mississauga, CA) ; Henry, Justin M.;
(Mississauga, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael S. Neustel
Suite No.4
2534 South University Drive
Fargo
ND
58103
US
|
Family ID: |
26885204 |
Appl. No.: |
09/804623 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60189487 |
Mar 15, 2000 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
341/176 ;
340/12.25; 398/112 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08C 2201/21 20130101;
G08C 19/28 20130101; G08C 23/04 20130101; G08C 17/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
341/176 ;
340/825.72; 359/148; 340/825.69 |
International
Class: |
H04L 017/02 |
Claims
We claim:
1. An remote control configuration system, comprising: a control
station for providing configuration data; a housing; an electronic
system capable of storing sample signal data relating to at least
one electronic device and remote control; a communication device
connected to said electronic system for receiving said sample
signal data; a means for communicating with said control station;
and an input means connected to said electronic system.
2. The remote control configuration system of claim 1, wherein said
input means comprises a keypad.
3. The remote control configuration system of claim 2, wherein said
sample signal data is comprised of at least one infrared
signal.
4. The remote control configuration system of claim 1, wherein said
means for communicating with said control station is comprised of a
global computer network.
5. The remote control configuration system of claim 4, wherein said
control station includes a web page for receiving electronic device
information.
6. The remote control configuration system of claim 1, wherein said
control station includes a web page for receiving electronic device
information.
7. A method of using a remote control configuration system having
an electronic system with a communication device, an input device,
and a means for communicating with a control station, said method
comprising the steps of: (a) sampling a signal sample from a remote
control; (b) storing said signal sample within said electronic
system into a sample storage; (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) for
additional remote controls; (d) uploading said sample storage to
said control station; (e) determining an identity of a remote
control that corresponds with each said signal sample of said
sample storage; and (f) generating a configuration data for said
electronic system that allows said electronic system to mimic each
remote control sampled.
8. The method of using a remote control configuration system of
claim 7, including the step of: (g) transferring said configuration
data to said electronic system.
9. The method of using a remote control configuration system of
claim 8, including the step of: (h) storing said configuration data
within said electronic system.
10. The method of using a remote control configuration system of
claim 9, including the step of: (i) generating a signal to control
an electronic device based upon said configuration data.
11. A method of using a remote control configuration system having
an electronic system with a communication device, an input device,
and a means for communicating with a control station, said method
comprising the steps of: (a) accessing a web page of said control
station; (b) inputting device data regarding an electronic device;
(c) repeating steps (a) and (b) for additional electronic devices;
and (d) generating a configuration data for said electronic system
that allows said electronic system to mimic a remote control for
each electronic device.
12. The method of using a remote control configuration system of
claim 11, including the step of: (e) transferring said
configuration data to said electronic system.
13. The method of using a remote control configuration system of
claim 12, including the step of: (f) storing said configuration
data within said electronic system.
14. The method of using a remote control configuration system of
claim 13, including the step of: (g) generating a signal to control
an electronic device based upon said configuration data.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION
[0001] I hereby claim benefit under Title 35, United States Code,
Section 119(e) of United States provisional patent application
Serial Number 60/189,487 filed Mar. 15, 2000. This application is a
continuation of the 60/189,487 application. The 60/189,487
application is currently pending. The 60/189,487 application is
hereby incorporated by reference into this patent application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to universal remote
control devices and more specifically it relates to an online
remote control configuration system for efficiently programming a
remote control to control a plurality of external electronic
devices.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Remote control devices have been in use for years. Remote
control devices are utilized to operate various external electronic
devices including but not limited to televisions, stereos,
receivers, VCRs, DVD players, CD players, amplifiers, equalizers,
tape players, cable units, lighting, window shades and other
electronic devices. A conventional remote control is typically
comprised of a housing structure, a keypad within the housing
structure for entering commands by the user, electronic circuitry
within the housing structure connected to the keypad, and a
transmitter electrically connected to the electronic circuitry for
transmitting a control signal to an electronic device to be
operated.
[0006] The user depresses one or more buttons upon the keypad when
a desired operation of a specific electronic device is desired. For
example, if the user desires to turn the power off to a VCR, the
user will depress the power button upon the remote control which
transmits a "power off" control signal that is detected by the VCR
resulting in the VCR turning off.
[0007] Because of the multiple electronic devices currently
available within many homes and businesses today, a relatively new
type of remote control is utilized to allow for the control of a
plurality of electronic devices commonly referred to as a
"universal remote control." Most universal remote controls have
"selector buttons" that are associated with the specific electronic
device to be controlled by the remote control (e.g. television,
VCR, DVD player, etc.). Universal remote control devices allow for
the control of a plurality of external electronic devices with a
single remote control thereby eliminating the need to have a
plurality of remote controls physically present within a room.
[0008] Conventional universal remote controls are typically
programmed using two methods: (1) entering an "identifier code"
directly into the remote control, or (2) sampling the control
signal transmitted by another remote control device. Neither method
of programming a universal remote control is efficient and causes
many consumers to either not purchase a universal remote control or
abandon the usage of an already purchased remote control.
[0009] Entering identifier codes into a remote control can be time
consuming and difficult for many users. If the user loses the "code
book" that comes with the universal remote control they are often
times left with a useless universal remote control that they are
unable to reprogram. Often times a consumer is given 4-8 different
"possible" identifier codes for a particular brand of electronic
device thereby requiring the user to, through trial and error,
determine the correct identifier code. Sometimes an individual
believes they have entered the proper identifier code since one or
two of the commands on the keypad work only to find out later that
one or more commands do not work with the electronic device since
the proper identifier code was not entered.
[0010] Also, sampling of control signals is very time consuming and
difficult to ensure proper sampling. An individual must expend
significant amounts of time sampling infrared signals from another
remote control and "saving" these signals within the universal
remote control thereafter assigning the particular signal to a
button on the keypad. This is very labor intensive and the results
are only as stable as the infrared code sampled.
[0011] There are many problems with conventional universal remote
controls. For example, many universal remote controls have a
plurality of buttons wherein many are never utilized since the
manufacturer attempts to have physical buttons for each possible
command of each possible electronic device. Another problem
conventional universal remote controls is that the electronic
components within these devices is relatively complex and expensive
to manufacture resulting in an increased cost to the consumer.
[0012] While these devices may be suitable for the particular
purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for
efficiently programming a remote control to recognize a plurality
of external electronic devices. Conventional universal remote
control devices do not allow for easy and quick programming
thereof. In addition, conventional universal remote controls are
not always properly programmed thereby causing consumer
dissatisfaction.
[0013] In these respects, the online remote control configuration
system according to the present invention substantially departs
from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in
so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose
of efficiently programming a remote control to recognize a
plurality of external electronic devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known
types of universal remote controls now present in the prior art,
the present invention provides a new online remote control
configuration system construction wherein the same can be utilized
for efficiently programming a remote control to recognize a
plurality of external electronic devices.
[0015] The general purpose of the present invention, which will be
described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new
online remote control configuration system that has many of the
advantages of the universal remote control devices mentioned
heretofore and many novel features that result in a new online
remote control configuration system which is not anticipated,
rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior
art remote controls, either alone or in any combination
thereof.
[0016] To attain this, the present invention generally comprises 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.
[0017] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
important features of the invention in order that the detailed
description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the
present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There
are additional features of the invention that will be described
hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims
appended hereto.
[0018] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment
of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited in its application to the details of
construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in
the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced
and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that
the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose
of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0019] A primary object of the present invention is to provide an
online remote control configuration system that will overcome the
shortcomings of the prior art devices.
[0020] A second object is to provide an online remote control
configuration system for efficiently programming a remote control
to recognize a plurality of external electronic devices.
[0021] Another object is to provide an online remote control
configuration system that allows for a simple electronic
configuration.
[0022] An additional object is to provide an online remote control
configuration system that does not require a universal remote
control to store hundreds of different signal codes that are never
utilized.
[0023] A further object is to provide an online remote control
configuration system that allows an individual to quickly configure
a universal remote control.
[0024] A further object is to provide an online remote control
configuration system that is able to upload a relatively complex
configuration (e.g. "watch television") than is currently possible
with current universals.
[0025] A further object is to provide an online remote control
configuration system that allows customization of a remote control
but for the specific system in which they are interconnected (e.g.
so that they are effectively a system).
[0026] A further object is to provide an online remote control
configuration system that can be configured to how the user desires
to utilize electronic devices.
[0027] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects
and advantages are within the scope of the present invention.
[0028] To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this
invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however,
that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be
made in the specific construction illustrated and described within
the scope of the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of
the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same
becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate
the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and
wherein:
[0030] FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present
invention.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention illustrating
electronic circuitry within.
[0033] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the communications
between the present invention and a plurality of external
electronic devices.
[0034] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the electronic system
of the present invention electrically connected to the power source
and in communication with the external electronic devices.
[0035] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the electronic system
along with a plurality of accessory devices connected to
thereof.
[0036] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the present invention in
communication with the control station via a global computer
network wherein the electronic system is directly connected to an
intermediary computer system.
[0037] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the present invention in
communication with the control station directly via a global
computer network without utilizing an intermediary computer
system.
[0038] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the overall operation of
the present invention from sampling the signal code of each remote
control to downloading the configuration data.
[0039] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the functionality within
the control station for identifying each electronic device.
[0040] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the usage of a web page
to allow a user to directly enter the identity of each electronic
device into the control station.
[0041] FIG. 12 is an illustration of a web page for entering
electronic device information into.
[0042] FIG. 13 is an illustration of a web page displaying the
connection of external electronic devices.
[0043] FIG. 14 is an illustration of a web page displaying the
selection of channels to include and exclude from the electronic
system configuration.
[0044] FIG. 15 is an illustration of a web page showing the key
mappings upon the keypad as configured.
[0045] FIG. 16 is an illustration of a web page showing the setup
of various tasks such as "Watch Television" and "Watch DVD."
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0046] The following description is presented to enable any person
skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided
in the context of a particular application and its requirements.
Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles
defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be
limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest
scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed
herein.
[0047] The data structures and code described in this detailed
description are typically stored on a computer readable storage
medium, which may be any device or medium that can store code
and/or data for use by a computer system. This includes, but is not
limited to, magnetic and optical storage devices such as disk
drives, magnetic tape, CDs (compact discs) and DVDs (digital video
discs), and computer instruction signals embodied in a transmission
medium (with or without a carrier wave upon which the signals are
modulated). For example, the transmission medium may include a
communications network, such as but not limited to the Internet or
wireless communications.
[0048] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar
reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several
views, FIGS. 1 through 16 illustrate an online remote control
configuration system 10, which comprises 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. The user
can also specify how the devices are connected and the
configuration can be transferred to the electronic system 100 from
the control station 40.
[0049] A. Remote Control Structure
[0050] The present invention generally is comprised of a housing 20
having a structure and shape similar to conventional remote control
devices. The housing 20 may be constructed of various types of
materials and shapes as can be appreciated by one skilled in the
art. The housing is preferably structured to be ergonomic for a
majority of users.
[0051] The present invention may be utilized to control and operate
various external electronic devices including but not limited to
televisions, stereos, receivers, VCRs, DVD players, CD players,
amplifiers, equalizers, tape players, cable units, satellite dish
receivers, lighting, window shades and other electronic devices.
Almost any number of external electronic devices may be controlled
by the present invention as can be accomplished with conventional
remote control devices.
[0052] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary electronic system
100 for practicing the various aspects of the present invention.
The electronic system 100 is preferably enclosed within the
housing. A portable power source 140 is electrically connected to
the electronic system 100 for providing electrical power to the
electronic system 100. The power source 140 may be comprised of any
power source such as a battery structure (disposable or
rechargeable), solar cells, or direct power.
[0053] The electronic system 100 preferably includes a display
screen 104, a network interface 112, a keypad 114, a microprocessor
116, a memory bus 118, random access memory (RAM) 120, a speaker
102, read only memory (ROM) 122, a peripheral bus 124, a keypad
controller 126, and a communications device 108. As can be
appreciated, the electronic system 100 of the present invention may
be comprised of any combination of well-known computer devices,
personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptop computers, remote
control devices and other electronic systems.
[0054] The microprocessor 116 is a general-purpose digital
processor that controls the operation of the electronic system 100.
Microprocessor 116 can be a single-chip processor or implemented
with multiple components. Using instructions retrieved from memory,
microprocessor 116 controls the reception and manipulations of
input data and the output and display of data on output
devices.
[0055] The memory bus 118 is utilized by microprocessor 116 to
access RAM 120 and ROM 122. RAM 120 is used by microprocessor 116
as a general storage area and as scratch-pad memory, and can also
be used to store input data and processed data. ROM 122 can be used
to store instructions or program code followed by microprocessor
116 as well as other data.
[0056] Peripheral bus 124 is used to access the input, output and
storage devices used by the electronic system 100. In the described
embodiment(s), these devices include a display screen 104, an
accessory device 106, a speaker 102, a communications device 108,
and a network interface 112. A keypad controller 126 is used to
receive input from the keypad 114 and send decoded symbols for each
pressed key to microprocessor 116 over bus 128.
[0057] The display screen 104 is an output device that displays
images of data provided by the microprocessor 116 via the
peripheral bus 124 or provided by other components in the
electronic system 100. Other output devices such as a printer,
plotter, typesetter, etc. can be utilized as an accessory device
106.
[0058] The microprocessor 116 together with an operating system
operate to execute computer code and produce and use data. The
computer code and data may reside on RAM 120, ROM 122, or other
storage mediums. The computer code and data could also reside on a
removable program medium and loaded or installed onto the
electronic system 100 when needed. Removable program mediums
include, for example, PC-CARD, flash memory, and floppy disk.
[0059] The network interface 112 is utilized to send and receive
data over a network connected to other electronic systems. The
network interface may also be comprised of a Universal Serial Bus
(USB), an external bus standard that supports data transfer rates
of 12 Mbps (12 million bits per second). A single USB port can be
used to connect up to 127 peripheral devices, such as mice, modems,
and keyboards. An interface card or similar device and appropriate
software implemented by microprocessor 116 can be utilized to
connect the electronic system 100 to an existing network and
transfer data according to standard protocols including data over a
global computer network such as the Internet. The electronic system
100 may connect to the Internet 130 via a computer system 60 or
directly as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 respectively.
[0060] The keypad 114 is used by a user to input commands and other
instructions to the electronic system 100. Other types of user
input devices can also be used in conjunction with the present
invention. For example, pointing devices such as a computer mouse,
a jog switch 22, a track ball, a stylus, or a tablet to manipulate
a pointer on a screen of the electronic system 100.
[0061] The present invention can also be embodied as computer
readable code on a computer readable medium. The computer readable
medium is any data storage device that can store data which can be
thereafter be read by a electronic system. Examples of the computer
readable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory,
magnetic data storage devices such as diskettes, and optical data
storage devices such as CD-ROMs. The computer readable medium can
also be distributed over a network coupled electronic systems so
that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a
distributed fashion.
[0062] The communications device 108 may be comprised of any
well-known communication system that allows communications with
external electronic devices. The communications device 108 may
provide for various types of communication such as but not limited
to via infrared (IR), wireless (e.g. BLUETOOTH), unidirectional,
bidirectional, radio frequency (RF), visible light, ultrasonic and
various other means for communicating with external electronic
devices. The communications device 108 is capable of receiving a
"signal sample" from another remote control wherein the signal
sample is stored within the electronic system.
[0063] Input into the electronic system is accomplished mainly
through the usage of the keypad 114. The keypad 114 includes a
plurality of buttons that allow the user to execute one or more
commands. The keypad 114 allows for the control of basic functions
such as volume, channel manipulation, mute, and last channel.
Various other input devices may be utilized to input data into the
electronic system 100 such as a jog switch 22 (e.g. dial), motion
and orientation detectors, touch sensitive screens and voice
recognition. The display 104 provides information to the user such
as possible tasks to complete or the current state of the external
electronic devices.
[0064] B. Communication System
[0065] The present invention is best operated upon a global
computer network such as the Internet 130. A plurality of computer
systems around the world are in communication with one another via
this global computer network.
[0066] The present invention preferably utilizes the Internet 130
for communications, however it can be appreciated that as future
technologies are created that various aspects of the invention may
be practiced with these improved technologies. In addition,
wireless technologies provide a suitable communications medium for
operating the present invention.
[0067] C. Web Page
[0068] The present invention is preferably utilized in conjunction
with information presented upon a web page or other displayable
medium representing the control station 40. A web page is typically
comprised of a web page code that is stored upon a computer server.
A typical web page includes textual, graphical and audio data
within for display upon a computer system 60 and may be comprised
of various formats.
[0069] The web page code may be formatted such as but not limited
to HTML (HyperText Markup Language), XML (Extensible Markup
Language), HDML (Handheld Device Markup Language), and WML
(Wireless Markup Language) that is displayable upon a computer
system. Scripts such as JavaScript may be included within the web
page code to request the server computer to request a specific
audio file to be played with respect to an advertisement. As can be
appreciated, additional formats for the web page code may be
utilized as developed.
[0070] The web page code is retrieved by a computer system 60 or
electronic system 100 via the Internet, wireless network or other
communications channel utilizing a conventional web browser such as
but not limited to NETSCAPE or MICROSOFT INTERNET EXPLORER. An
individual using the computer system 60 enters the URL (Uniform
Resource Locator) identifying the web page to retrieve the web page
code associated with the desired web page.
[0071] As shown in FIG. 12 of the drawings, at least one of the web
pages associated with the control station 40 allows for the direct
entry of the device identification. More particularly, information
relating to the type, brand and model of the device are preferably
entered into the web page that are thereafter forwarded to the
control station 40 for determination of the configuration data.
Various other designs of web pages may be utilized to receive the
device data as can be appreciated by one skilled in the art. FIG.
13 discloses a direct entry of the device connections. The device
connections can be specified/represented graphically, through
dropdown lists or other configurations.
[0072] D. Control Station
[0073] The control station 40 is in communication with the Internet
130 via various well-known means. The control station 40 is
preferably accessed by users via a web page which allows the users
to identify themselves and modify user settings. The user may input
various conditions and requirements regarding the external
electronic devices 12 that the remote control is to control. The
user settings may be modified at anytime via the web page or other
means.
[0074] The control station 40 is in communication with one or more
programming stations 50 that provide updated electronic device
information to the control station 40. The electronic device
information is basically comprised of product information, type,
brand, model, year, communication type, and signal configuration
data. It can be appreciated that additional types of electronic
device information may be received and stored by the control
station 40.
[0075] The control station 40 maintains a database that allows for
the determination of an electronic device by one or more signal
samples from the corresponding remote control. The control station
maintains a database that allows for the determination of what
inputs and outputs are on the electronic devices 12, and the
mechanism for transferring between states. The control station 40
is preferably updated at periodic intervals regarding updated
information regarding new electronic devices on the market.
[0076] E. Sampling Mode
[0077] The preferred method of operating the present invention is
to "sample" the signal emitted from a remote control corresponding
to the electronic device 12 to be controlled. Prior to sampling the
signal, the user may select a "sample button" which will place the
electronic system in "sample mode" for receiving one or more sample
signals per remote control. Signal sampling has been performed
within the remote control industry for years and is well known to
those skilled in the art particularly with infrared signal
sampling. No further discussion of signal sampling is required as
the same is readily apparent in the art.
[0078] Prior to sampling the signal, the user positions the
communication device 108 of the electronic system 100 in a location
to detect and receive the signal from the remote control. Though
not required, the user typically will select a button on the keypad
114 identifying the button they plan to press on the remote control
prior to depressing. For example, if the user is going to sample
the "power on/off signal" from the remote control, the user would
select the "power button" or other appropriate button on the keypad
114 during sampling mode.
[0079] After identifying to the electronic system 100 what button
on the remote control will be depressed, the user then depresses
the desired button on the remote control thereby transmitting the
signal to the communication device 108 which receives the signal as
shown in FIG. 9 of the drawings. The signal is then converted and
forwarded by the communication device 108 to the memory 120 of the
electronic system 100 for storage. It can be appreciated that if
the electronic system 100 is connected to the global computer
network 130 that the sample signals do not need to be stored within
the electronic system 100. Additional samples may be taken from the
remote control or another remote control may be sampled.
[0080] F. Uploading Sampled Signals
[0081] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 of the drawings, after the
desired signals have been sampled the user connects the electronic
system 100 to the Internet via the network interface 112, the
communication device 108 or other means. The electronic system 100
may be directly or indirectly connected to the Internet as shown in
the figures. The user then uploads the "sample data" to the control
station 40.
[0082] As shown in FIG. 10 of the drawings, the control station 40
analyzes the sample data to determine the type, brand and model of
each of the electronic devices 12 that are controlled by the
corresponding sampled signal. Once the control station 40 has
determined what the type, brand and model of each of the electronic
devices 12 is, the control station 40 then generates "configuration
data" that is then downloaded to the electronic system 100. The
configuration data configures the electronic system so that it is
able to control all of the external electronic devices 12 as a
universal remote control would. The user then utilizes the
programmed remote control similar to a universal remote control. It
is noted that the control system may prompt the user for additional
information that may be utilized to create a personalized
configuration.
[0083] G. Direct Configuration
[0084] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 of the drawings, the user may
avoid sampling the signal from each of the remote controls and
instead directly enter product information into the web page of the
control station 40. The user preferably enters relevant product
information such as but not limited to device type (e.g. VCR,
television, DVD player, etc.), brand (e.g. SONY, TOSHIBA, etc.),
and model.
[0085] Once the all of the device information has been entered for
each of the electronic devices 12, the user then connects the
electronic system 100 to the Internet via the network interface
112, the communication device 108 or other means. The electronic
system 100 may be directly or indirectly connected to the Internet
as shown in the figures.
[0086] Once the control station 40 has determined what the type,
brand and model of each of the electronic devices 12 is, the
control station 40 then generates "configuration data" that is then
downloaded to the electronic system 100. The configuration data
configures the electronic system so that it is able to control all
of the external electronic devices 12 as a universal remote control
would. The user then utilizes the programmed remote control similar
to a universal remote control.
[0087] As electronic devices are added to or removed from the
user's electronic system, they can update their device information
at the control station 40 via the usage of an uploaded signal
sample or directly through the web page. The user is able to
utilize the remote control as a conventional remote for all of
their electronic devices 12 without interruption.
[0088] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and
operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent
from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion
relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
[0089] With respect to the above description then, it is to be
realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts
of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape,
form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are
deemed to be within the expertise of those skilled in the art, and
all equivalent structural variations and relationships to those
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are
intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
[0090] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,
falling within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *