User interface for a remote control application

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10444952-B2
Application number	US-201615284616-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 4, 2016
Priority date	Nov 20, 2001
Publication date	Oct 15, 2019
Grant date	Oct 15, 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 method for monitoring usage of a universal controlling device, comprising:
sensing a first event within the universal controlling device wherein the first event is an event which causes the universal controlling device to operate in a one of a plurality of operating modes of the universal controlling device wherein each of the plurality of operating modes of the universal controlling device corresponds to a different one of a plurality of configuration files stored in a memory of the universal controlling device and wherein each of the different one of the plurality of configurations files contains resources used to command operations of one or more controllable appliances;
storing within the memory of the universal controlling data indicative of the first event;
sensing a second event occurring within the universal controlling device while the universal controlling device is operating in the one of the plurality of operating modes of the universal controlling device; and
storing within the memory of the universal controlling device data indicative of the second event occurring while the universal controlling device is operating in the one of the plurality of operating modes of the universal controlling device whereby the stored data is available for analysis.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 , comprising associating a timestamp with the data indicative of the second event occurring while the universal controlling device is operating in the one of the plurality of operating modes of the universal controlling device.

3. The method as recited in claim 2 , wherein the timestamp comprises a real time timestamp.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the sensed second event comprises a sensed activation of at least one command key of the universal controlling device.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the sensed second event comprises a sensed receipt of a signal by the universal controlling device.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the sensed second event comprises a sensed establishment of a communication connection between the universal controlling device and an appliance.

7. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the sensed second event comprises the universal controlling device entering a quiescent state.

8. The method as recited in claim 1 , comprising determining a current user of the universal controlling device and storing data indicative of the current user of the universal controlling device in the memory of the universal controlling device.

9. The method as recited in claim 8 , comprising using a log-in feature to determine the current user of the universal controlling device.

10. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the universal controlling device comprises a smart phone.

11. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the universal controlling device comprises a tablet computing device.

12. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the data is analyzed to discern ways to improve access to features/functionalities of appliances that are commonly accessed via use of the universal controlling device.

13. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the data is analyzed to determine interests of an operator or operators of the universal controlling device.

14. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the data is analyzed to discern how often appliances are being used.

15. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the data is analyzed to determine times during which the universal controlling device is being used.

16. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the data is analyzed to determine times during which the appliances are being used.

Assignees

• 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

• H04N21/25891

  being end-user preferences (retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18) · CPC title

• G06F9/445

  Program loading or initiating (bootstrapping G06F9/4401; security arrangements for program loading or initiating G06F21/57) · CPC title

• H04N5/50

  Tuning indicators; Automatic tuning control · CPC title