User interface for a remote control application

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10311714-B2
Application number	US-85550110-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 12, 2010
Priority date	Nov 20, 2001
Publication date	Jun 4, 2019
Grant date	Jun 4, 2019

Abstract

A hand-held electronic device having a remote control application user interface that functions to displays operational mode information to a user. The graphical user interface may be used, for example, to setup the remote control application to control appliances for one or more users in one or more rooms, to perform activities, and to access favorites. The remote control application is also adapted to be upgradeable. Furthermore, the remote control application provides for the sharing of operational mode information.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A remote control device for controlling one or more consumer devices of various device types, the remote control comprising:
a plurality of user input elements;
an action map having a plurality of action map entries wherein each of the plurality of action map entries is associated with a one of the plurality of user input elements;
a plurality of device command code sets wherein each of the plurality of device command code sets has a plurality of functions for controlling at least one consumer device;
a selector configured to allow a user to select individual functions from the plurality of device command code sets appropriate for controlling the one or more consumer devices;
an activator configured to allow a user to create one or more links between at least one of the selected individual functions of the plurality of device command code sets and action map entries of the action map whereupon an activation of a one of the plurality of user input elements will cause a transmission from the remote control device of the individual functions of the plurality of device command code sets that were selected via use of the selector and linked to the one of the plurality of action map entries assigned to the activated one of the plurality of user input elements via use of the activator; and
a memory device that is configured to store the plurality of device command code sets and the action map.

2. The remote control device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the remote control device is a multi-mode remote control.

3. The remote control device as claimed in claim 1 , comprising a proposer for proposing one of the plurality of device command code sets prior to the selection by the selector.

4. The remote control device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the device command code set corresponds to an operating mode of the remote control device.

5. The remote control device as claimed in claim 1 , comprising a touch screen.

6. The remote control device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the remote control device is configured to store functions from outside the remote control device in the memory device of the remote control device.

7. The remote control device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein unlinked user input elements are communicated to a user.

8. A method for programming a remote control device having a plurality of user input elements for controlling one or more consumer devices of various device types, the method comprising acts of:
linking a plurality of device command code sets provided for one or more device types with the plurality of user input elements via use of an action map for one or more consumer devices to be controlled, wherein the action map is stored in a memory of the remote control device, wherein each of the plurality of device command code sets has a plurality of functions for controlling at least one consumer device, wherein the action map has a plurality of action map entries, wherein each of the plurality of action map entries includes at least one function for controlling at least one consumer device, and wherein the plurality of device command codes sets are linked with the plurality of user input elements by:
selecting by a user via one or more interactions with the remote control device an individual function from one of the plurality of device command code sets; and
creating by the user via one or more interactions with the remote control device links between one of the selected individual functions of any one of the plurality of device command code sets provided for a given device type and action map entries of the action map assigned to a one of the plurality of user input elements, whereupon an activation of a one of the plurality of user input elements will cause a transmission from the remote control device of the individual functions of the plurality of device command code sets that were selected by the user and linked by the user to the one of the plurality of action map entries assigned to the activated one of the plurality of user input elements.

9. The method for programming a remote control device as claimed in claim 8 , comprising an act of proposing one of the plurality of device command code sets to the user by the remote control device.

10. The method for programming a remote control device as claimed in claim 9 , comprising an act of ordering the plurality of device command code sets proposed to the user based on a predetermined criteria.

11. The method for programming a remote control device as claimed in claim 8 , comprising an act of transferring the plurality of device command code sets from a device outside the remote control device for storage in the memory device of the remote control device.

12. The method for programming a remote control device as claimed in claim 8 , comprising an act of storing the plurality of device command code sets.

13. The method for programming a remote control device as claimed in claim 8 , comprising the act of communicating unlinked user input elements to a user.

14. A programmable remote control device comprising user input elements for controlling one or more consumer devices of various device types and a memory, the memory being configured to store a plurality of device command code sets, and comprising a program of instructions for performing the method comprising acts of:
linking a plurality of device command code sets provided for one or more device types with the plurality of user input elements via use of an action map for one or more consumer devices to be controlled, wherein the action map is stored in a memory of the remote control device, wherein each of the plurality of device command code sets has a plurality of functions for controlling at least one consumer device, wherein the action map has a plurality of action map entries, wherein each of the plurality of action map entries includes at least one function for controlling at least one consumer device, and wherein the plurality of device command codes sets are linked with the plurality of user input elements by:
selecting by a user via one or more interactions with the remote control device an individual function from one of the plurality of device command code sets; and
creating by the user via one or more interactions with the remote control device links between one of the selected individual functions of any one of the plurality of device command code sets provided for a given device type and action map entries of the action map assigned to a one of the plurality of user input elements, whereupon an activation of a one of the plurality of user input elements will cause a transmission from the remote control device of the individual functions of the plurality of device command code sets that were selected by the user and linked by the user to the one of the plurality of action map entries assigned to the activated one of the plurality of user input elements.

15. The programmable remote control device as claimed in claim 14 , comprising a program for proposing one of the plurality of device command code sets.

16. The programmable remote control device as claimed in claim 14 , comprising a program for ordering the plurality of device command code sets based on a predetermined criteria.

17. The programmable remote control device as claimed in claim 14 , wherein unlinked user input elements are communicated to a user.

18. The programmable remote control device as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the action map corresponds to an operating mode of the remote control device.

Assignees

• Huang Steve Lanping
• Scott Cheryl
• Scott Wayne
• Universal Electronics Inc

Inventors

• Huang Steve Lanping
• Scott Cheryl
• Scott Wayne

Classifications

• G08C23/04

  using light waves, e.g. infrared · CPC title

• G08C2201/42

  Transmitting or receiving remote control signals via a network · CPC title

• H04N7/16

  Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems · CPC title

• G08C17/00

  Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link · CPC title

• H04B1/202

  by remote control · CPC title