Remote user interface

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12554382-B2
Application number	US-202418674435-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 24, 2024
Priority date	Jul 21, 2014
Publication date	Feb 17, 2026
Grant date	Feb 17, 2026

Abstract

Target electronic devices can be remotely controlled using a personal electronic device are disclosed. The personal electronic device can identify target devices that are responsive to remote control. The personal electronic device displays graphical user interface objects that, when selected, cause the personal electronic device to instruct the target electronic device to perform an operation.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An electronic device, comprising:
one or more sensors; one or more processors; a display: a memory; and one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for:
associating the electronic device with one or more target devices that are responsive to remote control out of a plurality of target devices, wherein the plurality of target devices includes a first target device and a second target device;
detecting, via the one or more sensors, a single gesture that is motion of the electronic device; and
in response to detecting the single gesture that is motion of the electronic device:
displaying, on the display, a first set of one or more graphical user interface objects representing controls for the one or more target devices;
in accordance with a determination that the electronic device is associated with the first target device, instructing the first target device to perform an operation; and
in accordance with a determination that the electronic device is associated with the first target device and the second target device, concurrently instructing the first target device and the second target device to perform the operation.

2 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the display of the electronic device includes a touch-sensitive display, the one or more programs further including instructions for:
displaying a plurality of icons representing applications, including an icon representing a remote control application; and receiving a first contact on the touch-sensitive display at a location of the icon, wherein at least one of associating the electronic device with one or more target devices that are responsive to remote control and detecting the single gesture that is motion of the electronic device occurs after receiving the first contact.

3 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein instructing the first target device comprises instructing the first target device to pause or stop an operation; and
wherein concurrently instructing the first target device and second target device comprises concurrently instructing the first target device and the second target device to pause or stop an operation.

4 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein instructing the first target device comprises instructing the first target device to pause or stop playback of audio and/or visual content; and
wherein concurrently instructing the first target device and second target device comprises concurrently instructing the first target device and the second target device to pause or stop playback of audio and/or visual content.

5 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein associating the electronic device with one or more target devices that are responsive to re comprises identifying target devices that perform audio and/or visual playback.

6 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein associating the electronic device with one or more target devices that are responsive to remote control comprises identifying television or television set-top media playback devices.

7 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein associating the electronic device with one or more target devices that are responsive to remote control comprises receiving network service information sent by the one or more target devices.

8 . The electronic device of claim 1 , the one or more programs further including instructions for:
prior to detecting the single gesture that is motion of the electronic device, displaying, via the display, a second set of one or more graphical user interface objects for controlling operations of the one or more associated target devices.

9 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein associating the electronic device with one or more target devices that are responsive to remote control comprises:
receiving a user input; and selecting the one or more target devices that are responsive to remote control based on the user input.

10 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the single gesture that is motion of the electronic device is a raise gesture.

11 . The electronic device of claim 1 , the one or more programs further including instructions for:
prior to detecting the single gesture that is motion of the electronic device, displaying, via the display, a graphical representation of the one or more target device that are responsive to remote control.

12 . The electronic device of claim 1 , the one or more programs further including instructions for:
prior to detecting the single gesture that is motion of the electronic device:
detecting a second plurality of target devices in proximity to the electronic device;
in accordance with a determination that a third target device of the second plurality of target devices is closest to the electronic device, displaying, via the display, a graphical representation of the third target device; and
in accordance with a determination that a fourth target device, different from the third target device, of the second plurality of target devices is closest to the electronic device, displaying, via the display, a graphical representation of the fourth target device.

13 . The electronic device of claim 12 , wherein:
displaying the graphical representation of the third target device includes:
displaying the graphical representation of the third target device at a first size; and
displaying the graphical representation of the fourth target device at a second size that is smaller than the first size; and
displaying the graphical representation of the fourth target device includes:
displaying the graphical representation of the fourth target device at the first size; and
displaying the graphical representation of the third target device at the second size.

14 . The electronic device of claim 12 , wherein the displayed graphical representation is of a respective target device that is responsive to remote control that is selected.

15 . A method, comprising:
at an electronic device with a display and one or more sensors:
associating the electronic device with one or more target devices that are responsive to remote control out of a plurality of target devices, wherein the plurality of target devices includes a first target device and a second target device;
detecting, via the one or more sensors, a single gesture that is motion of the electronic device; and
in response to detecting the single gesture that is motion of the electronic device:
displaying, on the display, a first set of one or more graphical user interface objects representing controls for the one or more target devices;
in accordance with a determination that the electronic device is associated with the first target device, instructing the first target device to perform an operation; and
in accordance with a determination that the electronic device is associated with the first target device and the second target device, concurrently instructing the first target device and the second target device to perform the operation.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the display of the electronic device includes a touch-sensitive display, the method further comprising:
displaying a plurality of icons representing applications, including an icon representing a remote control application; and receiving a first contact on the touch-sensitive display at a location of the icon, wherein at least one of associating the electronic device with one or more target devices that are res

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Chaudhri Imran
• Lemay Stephen O
• Dye Alan C
• Foss Christopher Patrick
• Yang Lawrence Y
• Graham David Chance
• Ive Jonathan P

Classifications

• G06F1/163

  Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt · CPC title

• G06F1/1626

  with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs] · CPC title

• H04M1/72442

  for playing music files · CPC title

• H04M1/72415

  for remote control of appliances · CPC title

• H04M1/72412

  using two-way short-range wireless interfaces · CPC title