U.S. patent application number 13/188391 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-17 for universal remote control with automated setup.
This patent application is currently assigned to IMERJ LLC. Invention is credited to Richard Pocklington, Brian Reeves.
Application Number | 20120119888 13/188391 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46047249 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120119888 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Reeves; Brian ; et
al. |
May 17, 2012 |
UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL WITH AUTOMATED SETUP
Abstract
A controller that automatically identifies one or more
peripheral devices which need to be programmed for use with the
controller. In some embodiments, the controller is able to visually
identify a peripheral device from an image, obtain the
configuration information for the peripheral device, and program
itself in the background according to the configuration
information. These tasks are advantageously performed by the remote
control, without user input. The controller can be programmed to
support a plurality of peripheral devices. When the controller is
used to control a peripheral device, the controller may first
present a selection list on the display screen. The selection list
may include all the peripheral devices that the remote is
communicatively coupled with. Upon the user selecting the desired
peripheral device to be controlled, the remote control may
dynamically outputs a customized user interface associated with the
selected peripheral device.
Inventors: |
Reeves; Brian; (Hamilton,
CA) ; Pocklington; Richard; (Reno, NV) |
Assignee: |
IMERJ LLC
Broomfield
CO
|
Family ID: |
46047249 |
Appl. No.: |
13/188391 |
Filed: |
July 21, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12948585 |
Nov 17, 2010 |
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13188391 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
340/12.24 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G05B 2219/25082
20130101; G05B 2219/23039 20130101; G05B 2219/25099 20130101; G08C
2201/21 20130101; G08C 2201/20 20130101; G05B 2219/23077 20130101;
G05B 2219/2615 20130101; G05B 19/0426 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/12.24 |
International
Class: |
G05B 11/01 20060101
G05B011/01 |
Claims
1. A method for configuring a control device, comprising: using the
control device to obtain an identifying indicia of a peripheral
device to be controlled by the control device, wherein at least one
of the peripheral device and a document comprises the identifying
indicia, and wherein the document includes at least one of a user
manual, a receipt, a credit card statement, a loyalty card
statement, and a rewards card statement; identifying the peripheral
device from the identifying indicia; obtaining configuration data
corresponding to the peripheral device; and configuring the control
device utilizing the configuration data such that the peripheral
device is controllable by the controller.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the using operation
involves capturing an image using a camera of the control
device.
3.-4. (canceled)
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the using operation
involves accessing a database containing the identifying
indicia.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the database includes
at least one of a credit card information database, a loyalty card
information database, and consumer information database.
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the obtaining operation
includes accessing a local database stored on the control device,
wherein the local database includes the configuration data
correlated to the identity of the peripheral device.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the obtaining operation
includes accessing a remote database, wherein the remote database
includes the configuration data correlated to the identity of the
peripheral device.
9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the configuration data
includes at least one of remote control programming codes and
driver software.
10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the identifying
operation, obtaining operation, and configuring operation do not
require user intervention.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the identifying
operation, obtaining operation, and configuring operation occur in
the background of the control device such that the user may utilize
the control device for other functions while the identifying
operation, obtaining operation, and configuring operation
occur.
12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:
communicating instructions from the control device to the
peripheral device.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the communicating
operation utilizes at least one of radio-frequency communication,
infrared communication, and hardwired communication.
14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the controller
includes displaying functional elements associated with the
peripheral device on a display of the controller.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the functional
elements include touch screen icons configurably displayed on the
display.
16. A configurable controller, comprising: a processor; a
peripheral device communication module in operative communication
with the processor and configurable to communicate with one or more
peripheral devices; and a peripheral device identification module
including a camera operable to capture an image of identifying
indicia comprising an image of the peripheral device, wherein the
peripheral device identification module is operable to recognize a
peripheral device; wherein the peripheral device identification
module is operable to retrieve configuration data in order to
configure the peripheral device communication module to communicate
with the peripheral device.
17. The controller according to claim 16, wherein the peripheral
communication module includes at least one of an IR communication
device, a RF communication device, and a hardwired connection to
the one or more peripheral devices.
18. (canceled)
19. The controller according to claim 7, wherein the peripheral
identification module is operable to retrieve the configuration
data from one of a local data store or remote data storage.
20. The controller according to claim 19, wherein the controller is
a universal remote control.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 12/948,585 filed Nov. 17, 2010 entitled "UNIVERSAL REMOTE
SETUP", each and every part of is hereby incorporated by reference
in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for
control devices. More particularly, the present invention relates
to methods and apparatus for the automated setup of control
devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] We live in a technological world with a vast, and ever
increasing, number of electronic devices. Electronic devices are
oftentimes complex to configure and use, and may be sold with
remotes to operate these electronic devices. As electronic devices,
such as consumer media, become more complicated, the need for a
relatively simple user interface to aid in their configuration and
setup becomes more important. Furthermore, as the number of remotes
a user comes to own increases, the need to help the user manage
these remotes becomes more important.
[0004] Currently, controllers can be programmed to control a
plurality of consumer electronic devices. However, programming the
master controller for a consumer electronic device is a fairly
complex procedure. And, as such, a tech-savvy individual typically
programs the master controller, although a non-technical individual
can operate the master controller after it has been programmed.
Even when a tech-savvy individual programs the master controller,
the procedure is still troublesome and time consuming. For example,
the tech-savvy individual must correctly identify the type of
device to be controlled and manually input this information into
the master controller or select the type of device from a list
before proceeding. The tech-savvy individual may need to perform
additional steps before the master controller is able to properly
control the device. Furthermore, software (e.g., driver files) may
be required to configure a controller. A user may or may not have
ready access to such software, further complicating the setup of
such controllers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a
controller with automated setup. The controller may be able to
visually identify a peripheral device from an image, obtain
configuration information for the peripheral device from an
internal or external source, and program itself (typically in the
background, transparent to the user) according to the configuration
information. These tasks, which are prone to human error and are
troublesome, are advantageously performed by the controller, with
little or no user input or interaction. The controller can be
programmed to support a plurality of peripheral devices.
[0006] In one aspect, a controller automatically configures the
controller based on configuration information of an electronic
device such that the controller is capable of communicating with
the electronic device. This may include automatically identifying
the electronic device from an image, and accessing the
configuration information of the electronic device identified from
the image. Typically, the controller is configured to set up in the
background without user input. The controller also may display
functional elements associated with the electronic device. The
functional elements may include touch screen icons. In some
embodiments, the controller may rearrange the functional
elements.
[0007] In another aspect, a handheld device is configured to
communicatively couple to at least one peripheral device. The
handheld device includes a processor and at least one application
executed by the processor. The application is able to use
configuration information of a peripheral device and generate a
user interface for operating the peripheral device based on the
configuration information. Typically, when generating a user
interface, a selection list that includes the peripheral device is
generated, and the handheld device thereafter detects the
peripheral device as a selected device to be controlled. The user
interface is typically specific to the peripheral device. In some
embodiments, the user interface may include a dial, navigation
buttons, a number pad, a volume control, a power button, or a
combination thereof.
[0008] In some embodiments, the peripheral device is identified
from an image. In some embodiments, the handheld device further
includes a camera configured to obtain the image.
[0009] In some embodiments, the handheld device includes an IR
transmitter and the at least one peripheral device includes an IR
receiver. The handheld device may be communicatively coupled with
the at least one peripheral device using IR. Alternatively or
additionally, the handheld device may include a RF transmitter and
the at least one peripheral device may include a RF receiver. The
handheld device may be communicatively coupled with the at least
one peripheral device using RF. Alternatively or additionally, the
handheld device and the at least one peripheral device may be
Ethernet-enabled. The handheld device may be communicatively
coupled with the at least one peripheral device over a WiFi
connection or a LAN.
[0010] In some embodiments, the configuration information is
internally stored within the handheld device. The configuration
information may be updated periodically or on-demand. Alternatively
or additionally, the configuration information may be remotely
stored outside the handheld device.
[0011] In yet another aspect, using a controller includes
determining a peripheral device to be controlled. In some
embodiments, the peripheral device to be controlled is identified
from an image. An image can be a photograph or may be a live image
of a part of the peripheral device. For example, a part of the
peripheral device may be a model code on the face or an identity
plate of the peripheral device. An image can also be a document
containing identification data regarding the peripheral device. For
example, the document may be a receipt, a credit card statement, a
loyalty card statement, or a rewards card statement. The document
can be received over a network or at a point of sale.
[0012] Configuration information of the peripheral device may be
used to automatically configure the controller and to dynamically
display an operative menu to control the peripheral device upon
detecting the peripheral device as a selected device to be
controlled.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Reference will now be made in detail to implementations of
the present invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
The same reference indicators will be used throughout the drawings
and the following detailed description to refer to the same or like
parts.
[0014] FIG. 1A illustrates a graphical representation of an
embodiment of a controller in accordance with the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 1B illustrates examples of peripheral devices
communicatively coupled with the controller in accordance with the
present invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of techniques of obtaining
an image in accordance with the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a customized user
interface in accordance with the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a process of configuring
a universal remote control in accordance with the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic view of an embodiment of a
controller in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] In the following description, numerous details are set forth
for purposes of explanation. However, one of ordinary skill in the
art will realize that the invention may be practiced without the
use of these specific details. 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 described herein.
[0021] Embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a
controller with automated setup. The controller is able to
automatically identify one or more peripheral devices for which the
controller may be specifically configured. The controller may be
able to visually identify a peripheral device from an image, obtain
configuration information for the peripheral device from an
internal or external source, and program itself (typically in the
background, transparent to the user) according to the configuration
information. These tasks, which are prone to human error and are
troublesome, are advantageously performed automatically by the
controller, with little or no user input or interaction. The
controller can be programmed to support a plurality of peripheral
devices. Embodiments of the present invention may also
advantageously reduce the number of components sold with each
electronic device (e.g., the peripheral device may be sold without
a remote control or portable media containing configuration data),
thereby minimizing the environmental impact of e-waste, and
reducing overall production cost and/or consumer cost.
[0022] In one embodiment, the controller may function as a
universal remote control. In this regard, the controller may be
operative to communication a command to a peripheral device to
elicit functionality of the peripheral device. In some embodiments,
the universal remote control may be a handheld device, such as a
smartphone, which has computing ability. FIG. 1A illustrates a
graphical representation of an embodiment of a universal remote
control 100 in accordance with the present invention. The universal
remote control 100 is able to store, serve, compute, communicate
and/or display information to enable a user to control one or more
peripheral devices. The universal remote control 100 typically has
an advanced processor 130 and abundant memory 125 to support at
least an operating system, data stores and applications. The
universal remote control 100 also has one or more communication
interfaces 105 and a display screen 135. The communication
interfaces 105 may include an infrared (IR) interface, a radio
frequency (RF) interface, and/or an Ethernet interface. The display
screen 135 may be a capacitive touchscreen or a resistive
touchscreen. The universal remote control 100 may also include and
support other hardware components, such as a wireless phone unit
110, having a speaker, microphone and antenna, for
sending/receiving voice and/or data, a camera 115, and a port 120
to couple with or to receive an external storage device. In some
embodiments, the port 120 is a USB port or a proprietary port.
Although only one port is illustrated, the universal remote control
100 may have a plurality of ports.
[0023] Depending on the capabilities of a peripheral device, the
universal remote control 100 may be able to communicate with the
peripheral device through the one or more communication interfaces
105 using infrared, radio frequency such as Bluetooth.TM.,
Ethernet, or a combination thereof. As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the
one or more peripheral devices may include, but are not limited to,
a PC 155, a gaming console 165, a stereo 170, a DVD/CD/VCR player
175, a fan 180, a heater 185, a TV 160, and other electronic
devices (not shown) which are capable of being controlled. In FIG.
1B, the universal remote control 100 is configured to
communicatively couple with the PC 155 and the TV 160 either wired
or wirelessly (e.g., via WiFi) over a LAN 150. The universal remote
control 100 is configured to communicatively couple with the gaming
console 165 and the stereo 170 using RF. Additionally, the
universal remote control 100 is configured to communicatively
couple with the DVD/CD/VCR player 175, the fan 180, the heater 185
and the TV 160 using IR. Each peripheral device communicatively may
have a primary or preferred communication mode. Some peripheral
devices may have alternative communication modes.
[0024] In some embodiments, if a primary communication mode of a
peripheral device is nonfunctional, then a secondary communication
mode can be used such that the universal remote control 100 is
still able to communicatively couple with the peripheral device.
For example, in the event that the universal remote control 100
fails to communicatively couple with the TV 160 using IR, the
universal remote control 100 may be able to communicatively couple
with the TV 160 over the LAN 150.
[0025] The universal remote control 100 of the present invention
may be able to visually identify a peripheral device to be
controlled or supported by the universal remote control 100. In
particular, the universal remote control 100 may first obtain an
image and thereafter identify the peripheral device from the
image.
[0026] In some embodiments, the image can be a live image sensed by
the camera 115 of the universal remote control 100 or a photograph
(such as one that is captured by the camera 115 of the universal
remote control 100). The image typically includes a part of the
peripheral device that is able to assist the universal remote
control 100 in identifying of the peripheral device. That is, the
image may include an identifying indicia related to the peripheral
device. For example, the part of the peripheral device may be a QR
(quick response) code, a UPC (universal product code), a SKU
(stock-keeping unit) code, or a model code on the face of the
peripheral device or on the manual, or an identity plate of the
peripheral device. Alternatively, the image can be a document
electronically transmitted to and received by the universal remote
control 100, for example, over a network 140, 150 from data source
145 or at a point of sale. For example, the document may be a
receipt, a credit card statement, a loyalty card statement, a
rewards card statement, or other customer records stored by
retailers/distributors which can be used to identify the peripheral
device that the user wishes to program for use with the universal
remote control 100. In some embodiments, the user is able to
provide the universal remote control 100 a document by coupling an
external storage device with the universal remote control 100 via
the port 120 for retrieval of the document from the external
storage device. The document may belong to the user or someone else
who had purchased the peripheral device, as long as the document is
able to assist the universal remote control 100 in identifying the
peripheral device. The universal remote control 100 may be able to
scan the image, regardless of its format and how it was obtained,
and thereafter visually identify from the image what the peripheral
device is using image recognition techniques.
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates embodiments of techniques of obtaining an
image in accordance with the present invention. As discussed above,
the image may be a live image, a photograph, or a document
electronically transmitted to the universal remote control 100.
Identification of the peripheral device may then be extracted from
the image using image recognition techniques. Software implementing
the image recognition technique may be stored on the universal
remote control 100. Alternatively, the image may be communicated to
another device for remote recognition. In some embodiments, the
universal remote control 100 is able to identify more than one
peripheral device from the image. Typically, successful
identification of a peripheral device includes determining the make
and model of the peripheral device.
[0028] If more than one peripheral device had been identified from
the image, the user may be prompted to select one or more
peripheral devices the user wishes to be programmed with the
universal remote control 100. Alternatively, all of the identified
peripheral devices will be programmed with the universal remote
control 100. In the event that identification has failed, the user
may be prompted to try again or is given the opportunity to
manually program the universal remote control 100.
[0029] After successfully identifying a peripheral device from the
image, the universal remote control 100 may automatically obtain
configuration information of the identified peripheral device. The
configuration information may not only allow for the universal
remote control 100 to be programmed such that the universal remote
control 100 is operatively coupled with the peripheral device, but
the configuration information may also determine the graphical
layout of a customized user interface associated with the
peripheral device to be displayed on the screen 135 (FIG. 1A).
[0030] In some embodiments, configuration information of an
identified peripheral device is obtained from an external data
source, such as a networked data source 145 (FIG. 1B). Typically,
the networked data source 145 may be coupled to the network 140 and
stores a code list, which includes the configuration information of
the peripheral device. The networked data source 145 can be at a
central web location where configuration data for all electronic
devices are stored, or can be at the manufacturer's web
location.
[0031] Alternatively, the external data source may be an external
storage device (not illustrated) coupled to the universal remote
control 100 via port 120. The external storage device may store a
code list, which includes the configuration data for a plurality of
electronic devices, including the configuration information of the
peripheral device. The code list on the external storage device may
be updated periodically or on-demand with configuration data to
support new electronic devices. In these cases where configuration
data is stored in the networked data source 145 or an external
storage device, the configuration information of the peripheral
device may be obtained remotely from the networked data source 145
or the external storage device, respectively. An advantage with
these external retrieval configurations is that the universal
remote control 100 need not store configuration data for other
electronic devices not yet operatively coupled with the universal
remote control 100. Since memory on the universal remote control
100 is a commodity, only the required configuration data is stored,
thereby utilizing only a portion of the memory necessary to support
the peripheral device(s).
[0032] Alternatively, configuration information of the peripheral
device may be already stored internally in the universal remote
control 100. The universal remote control 100 may locally store a
code list, which includes the configuration data for a plurality of
electronic devices. The code list may be locally stored in the
memory 125 of the universal remote control 100. The code list on
the universal remote control 100 may be updated periodically or
on-demand. In this case where configuration data is stored in the
universal remote control 100, the configuration information of the
peripheral device may be obtained locally from the universal remote
100. An advantage with this configuration is in the instance where
the network 140 is unavailable; the universal remote control 100
can still be programmed since the configuration information is
obtained locally from the universal remote control 100.
[0033] In some embodiments, the universal remote control 100 will
first check its local memory 125, then the coupled external data
source, if any, and lastly the networked data source 145, for the
configuration information of the peripheral device.
[0034] After successfully obtaining the configuration information
of the peripheral device, the universal remote control 100 may
automatically set up (programs) itself based on the configuration
information such that the universal remote control 100 is capable
of communicating with the peripheral device. Typically, the
configuration takes place in the background, without any or further
user input or interaction. During configuration, the user may be
able to continue to use the universal remote control 100 to, for
example, play a game, surf the Internet, or make a phone call,
without disrupting the programming process. When the universal
remote control 100 is successfully programmed, the universal remote
control 100 may alert the user that the programming is completed
and that the universal remote control 100 is now communicatively
coupled with the peripheral device. Typically, the universal remote
control 100 is able to be communicatively coupled with a plurality
of peripheral devices simultaneously.
[0035] In the event that a plurality of peripheral devices are
identified from a single image, the universal remote control 100
may finish obtaining configuration data for all of the requested
peripheral devices before sequentially programming itself for each
peripheral device according to the corresponding configuration
information. Alternatively, the universal remote control 100 may
obtain configuration data for a first requested peripheral device
and program itself accordingly before repeating these steps for the
next requested peripheral device. Similar to the programming for a
single peripheral device, the user may be able to use the universal
remote control 100 without disrupting the programming process.
[0036] In some embodiments, when the universal remote control 100
is used as a remote, the universal remote control 100 may present a
selection list on the display screen 135. The selection list may
include all the peripheral devices that the universal remote
control 100 is supporting (e.g., communicatively coupled with).
Upon the user selecting the desired peripheral device to be
controlled, the universal remote control 100 may dynamically output
a customized user interface associated with the selected peripheral
device. The user interface can include a dial, a slider, navigation
buttons, a number pad, a volume controller, a peripheral device
power button, a mute button, a menu button, and/or other virtual
controllers for interacting with and controlling the peripheral
device. The user interface can also include a voice recognition
feature that allows the user to simply say a command to control the
peripheral device.
[0037] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary customized user interface
300 for the Sony Bravia EX700 peripheral device. As illustrated,
the user interface 300 displays a description 305 of the peripheral
device, such as the make and model, a power button 310, a slider
315 to adjust the volume, navigation buttons for channel selection
320, menu and associated navigation buttons for the menu 325, a
number pad 330, a voice recognition button 335, and a
picture-in-picture button 340. Upon receiving user input via the
customized user interface 300, the universal remote control 100
controls the peripheral device accordingly.
[0038] In some embodiments, when the number of virtual controllers
for a peripheral device is too many for all the virtual controllers
be displayed on one screen "page," the virtual controllers can be
displayed over a plurality of screen pages such that only a subset
of the virtual controllers is displayed on each page. The user is
able to scroll between the pages to view the virtual controllers.
In other embodiments, the user is able to expand a page such that
the virtual controllers on that page are relatively large in size,
which is particularly useful for the vision-impaired. The user may
be able to scroll up/down, left/right on the page. Yet in other
embodiments, the user is able to further personalize the user
interface for the peripheral device by rearranging the virtual
controllers on a page or on multiple pages. The user may be able to
save the setting and, at any time thereafter, revert back to the
original (default) customized user interface for that peripheral
device.
[0039] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a process 400 of
configuring the universal remote control 100 in accordance with the
present invention. At a step 405, at least one peripheral device
from an image may be visually identified by the universal remote
control. In particular, the universal remote control 100 may first
obtain the image and thereafter identify the peripheral device(s)
from the image. As discussed above, the image can be a live image,
a photograph or a document obtained by the universal remote control
100.
[0040] After successfully identifying the peripheral device from
the image, configuration information of the peripheral device
identified from the image may be obtained, at a step 410.
Configuration information of the peripheral device can be obtained
locally from within the universal remote control 100 itself or
remotely (e.g., from a networked data source 145 or an external
storage device coupled to the universal remote control 100).
[0041] At a step 415, the universal remote control 100 may be
automatically programmed based on the obtained configuration
information such that the universal remote control 100 is
communicatively coupled with the peripheral device. According to
the process 400, the user need not identify the type of peripheral
device the user wishes to control or manually input configuration
information into the universal remote control 100 or select an item
from a list or menu. In fact, after an image is obtained by the
universal remote control 100, the programming of the universal
remote control 100 may be automatic.
[0042] It is contemplated that peripheral devices may include smart
home appliances. Accordingly, the universal remote control of the
present invention may also be able to work with and/or support an
intelligent home system. For example, the universal remote control
can be programmed to control smart home appliances, such as an air
conditioning unit, in addition to common consumer electronic
devices including those mentioned above.
[0043] In another embodiment, the controller may include a
computing device such as a handheld computing device, a laptop
computing device, a tablet computing device, a desktop computer,
etc. In this regard, the computing device may be operative to
obtain identifying characteristics of one or more peripheral
devices as described above. The configuration data received based
on the identification of the peripheral device may allow the
computing device to control or communicate with the peripheral
device. For instance, the peripheral device may, for example, be a
printer, scanner, keyboard, mouse, monitor, audio device, storage
device, or other consumer electronic device (e.g., such as those
listed above with regard to FIG. 1B). As such, the configuration
data may be software that is received at the computing device to
facilitate control and/or communication with the one or more
peripheral devices. This software may, in some embodiments, include
driver software or other utility software that is specific to the
peripheral device that allows the computing device to control
and/or communicate with the peripheral device.
[0044] FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a controller 500 that may
operate in accordance with the foregoing. A controller 500 may
include a processor 505 operative to communicate with and control
the various components of the controller 500 described below. For
instance, the controller 500 may include a display 510. The display
510 may be a touch screen display or another display operable to
cooperate with an input device in another manner to present a
graphical user interface to a user. The controller 500 may also
include a local memory 525. The local memory 525 and processor 505
may coordinate to execute one or more programs or applications on
the controller 500.
[0045] The controller 500 may also have a number of modules
operable to execute the functionality generally described above.
These modules may be software, hardware, firmware, or a combination
of the foregoing. For instance, the controller 500 may also include
a peripheral device communication module 515 that is operative to
communicate with the peripheral device 550. As discussed above, the
communication between the peripheral device communication module
515 and peripheral device 550 may be in communication by way of
radio frequency communication, infrared communication, WiFi, a
hardwired connection, or any other suitable means. The peripheral
device 550 may be any number of the previously described peripheral
devices.
[0046] The controller 500 may also include a peripheral device
identification module 520. The peripheral device identification
module 520 may be operative to interface with or image a peripheral
device 550 directly to identify the peripheral device 550. For
instance, the peripheral device identification module 520 may
include a camera operable to capture an image of the peripheral
device 550. In turn, the peripheral device identification module
520 may perform recognition techniques as described above to
identify the peripheral device 550. This may involve accessing
local memory 525 or remote database 560. The peripheral device
identification module 520 may retrieve configuration data from the
local memory 525 or remote database 560 and provide this
configuration data to processor 505. In turn, processor 505 may
configure the peripheral device communicate module 515 to
communication and/or control the peripheral device 550 as described
above.
[0047] While the invention has been described with reference to
numerous specific details, one of ordinary skill in the art will
recognize that the invention can be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. Thus, one
of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the invention is
not to be limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but rather
is to be defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *