United States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`Hayes et al.
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`5,614,906
`
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`Mar. 25, 1997
`
`]|||||||||||||||||||ll|||||||||||||||lllll|||||l|||||||||||||||l|||||||||||
`US005614906A
`
`..................... 340/325.59
`9/1990 Darbee et al.
`...... 341/175
`3/1991 Amano etal.
`...... 341/176
`5/1995 Tanaka etal.
`. 340/825.72
`9/1995 Zirkl et 31.
`........
`. ..... 359/148
`1/1995 Takiguchi etal. ....
`7/1995 Escobosa et a1.
`....................... 379/102
`
`
`
`4,959,310
`4,999,622
`5,420,573
`5,453,738
`5,435,149
`5,537,463
`
`Primary Examiner—Jefi'ery Hofsass
`Assistant Examiner—Andrew Hill
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm——Thomas R. Vigil; Gary Jarosik;
`Mark R. Galis
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A method for selecting a command set from a group of
`command sets stored in the remote control. Each remote
`control command set includes a set of commands for oper-
`ating at least one of various remotely controllable devices.
`A command, whose effect is observable in the remotely
`controlled device is assigned to one of the user actuated
`keys. The keys are pressed one by one until the user observes
`the desired efiect on the remotely controlled device. The
`user then signals the remote control
`to exit
`the select
`procedure with the remote control setting the remote control
`to transmit future commands from the command set includ-
`ing the last transmitted effects observable command having
`the observed desired etfect.
`
`16 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`[54]
`
`[75]
`
`[73]
`
`[21]
`
`[22]
`
`[51]
`[52]
`
`[58]
`
`[56]
`
`METHOD FOR SELECTING A REMOTE
`CONTROL COMMAND SET
`
`Inventors: Patrick H. Hayes, Mission Viejo;
`Kimthoa T. Nguyen, Yorba Linda, both
`of Calif.
`
`Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc., Twinsburg,
`Ohio
`
`Appl. No.: 636,666
`
`Filed:
`
`Apr. 23, 1996
`
`Int. Cl.5 ................................................... .. G08C 19/12
`U.S. Cl.
`............... 341/176; 340/825.37; 340/825.69;
`.
`340/825.72; 359/148; 379/102
`Field of Search ..................................... 341/176, 173,
`341/174, 175, 23; 348/734; 359/148; 364/709.14,
`709.15, 709.16; 379/102; 340/825.37, 825.69,
`825.72
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,703,359
`4,746,919
`4,825,209
`
`................. .. 340/825.69
`10/1987 Rumbolt et al.
`5/1988 Reitmeier ........ ..
`340/825.72
`4/1989 Sasaki et al.
`.................... .. 340/825.37
`
`
`
`TRANSMIT THE EFFECTS
`OBSERVABLE COMMAND
`
`CORRESPONDING TO THE
`PHESSED ASSIGNED KEY
`
`
`
`
`ASSIGN AN EFFECTS
`OBSERVABLE COMMAND
`THERE A
`
`
`FFIOM EACH or THE
`suessouem YES
`
`
`COMMAND SETS FROM
`pgpmgo pres
`THE NEXT PAGE OF
`0;: SEAHCHABLE
`SEARCHABLE COMMAND
`COMMAND
`SETS TO ONE OF
`
`THE ASSIGNABLE KEYS
`SETS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`THERE A
`
`
`
`ASSIGN AN EFFECTS
`OBSERVABLE COMMAND
`FROM EACH OF THE
`
`COMMABD SETS FROM
`THE NEXT PAGE OF
`
`SEARCHABLE COMMAND
`SETS TO ONE OF
`THE ASSIGNABLE KEYS
`
`
`
`
`SET THE CURRENT COMMAND
`SET TO THE COMMAND SET
`CORRESPONDING TO THE
`EFFECTS OBSERVABLE
`COMMAND ASSIGNED TO THE
`LAST PRESSED ASSIGNED KEY
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:20)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001 Page
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 25, 1997
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
`
`5,614,906
`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:21)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001 Page 2
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 25, 1997
`
`Sheet 2 of 6
`
`5,614,906
`
`32
`
`30
`
`FIG. 2
`
`23
`K 36
`
` CONTROL CIRCUIT
`
`KEYPAD
`
`CIRCUIT
`
`
`CIRCUIT
`
`MICROPROCESSOR
`
`
`
`OSCILLATOR
`
`
`
`
`
`L——-
`L:—_
`EXTERNAL
`RESET
`TCIRCUIT
`
`DATA INPUT
`CIRCUIT
`
`
` W;
`
`{W} I
`
`46
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CIRCUIT
`
`40
`
`
`OSCILLATOR
`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:22)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001 Page 3
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 25, 1997
`
`Sheet 3 of 6
`
`5,614,906
`
`0
`
`YES
`
`YES
`
`SELECTED MODE
`
`SET THE REMOTE
`CONTROL TO THE
`
`
`TRANSMIT THE
`
`YES SELECTED COMMAND
`
`
`FROM THE CURRENT
`COMMAND SET
`
`
`
`2 0
`
`
`|s |T
`A COMMAND
`
`
`
`YES
`
`RECEIVE
`SETUP CODE
`
`YES
`
`
`
`IS THE
`
`
`SETUP CODE
`A FUNCTION
`CO?DE
`
`NO
`
`
`
`IS THE
`SETUP CODE A
`CRITERIA
`
`CO,DE
`YES
`
`NO
`
`0
`
`FIG. 3A
`
`SET THE SEARCHABLE
`
`
`COMMAND SETS TO
`
`
`THE COMMAND SETS
`MEETING THE
`.
`
`
`RECEIVED CRITERIA
`
`9
`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:23)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001 Page 4
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 25, 1997
`
`Sheet 4 of 6
`
`5,614,906
`
` FIG. 3B
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`fl*g‘§EE"g%‘,?A':AEAfiS
`
`YES
`
`sE§E{Ha?'ELE
`COMMAND SETS TO
`THE COMMAND SETS
`STORED IN THE
`REMOTE CONTROL
`
`
`;:J?1g¥.%N
`
`DOWNLOAD
`C°?DE
`
`
`
`‘S THE
`F8'3BE'2N
`SEARCH
`CODE
`:2
`
`
`
`
`
`SET THE SEARCHABLE
`
`COMMAND SETS TO
`
`EXTERNAL DATA
`EXTERNAL DATA
`INPUT
`INPUT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DEFINE MULTIPLE PAGES
`OF SEARCHABLE COMMAND
`SETS WITH THE NUMBER
`
`ARE THE
`
`S"‘E‘A'}4g,E_,EA§fE
`COMMAND SETS
`
`
`
`NUMBER OF
`PAGE NO GREATER THAN
`THE NUMBER OF
`
`ASSIGNABLE KEYS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ASSIGN AN EFFECTS
`ASSIGN AN EFFECTS
`°BFSAEC';S‘,2A’AE"3A'-C'EH°8l“1'5{'_A"‘END
`OBSERVABLE COMMAND
`COMMAND SETS FROM THE
`‘ EH0“ EACH °E THE
`FIRST PAGE OF SEARCHABLE
`SEAHSHASEE COMMAND
`SETS T° ONE OE THE
`COMMAND SETS TO ONE OF
`
`ASS'S”AS'-E KEYS
`THE ASSIGNABLE KEYS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:24)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001 Page 5
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 25, 1997
`
`Sheet 5 of 6
`
`5,614,906
`
`FIG. 3D
`
`
`
`
`TRANSMIT THE EFFECTS
`OBSERVABLE COMMAND
`
`CORRESPONDING TO THE
`PRESSED ASSIGNED KEY
`
`
`
`ASSIGN AN EFFECTS
`OBSERVABLE COMMAND
`FROM EACH OF THE
`COMMAND SETS FROM
`THE NEXT PAGE OF
`SEARCHABLE COMMAND
`SETS TO ONE OF
`THE ASSIGNABLE KEYS
`
`
`|s
`THERE A
`SUBSEQUENT YES
`DEHNED PAGE
`0;: SEARCHABLE
`COMMAND
`SETS
`7
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ASSIGN AN EFFECTS
`°B:§s:'«E<'§:?n’A:a'i'25HCc§°+'=‘"-P{'4’E"°
`C$flg‘Q'g§’T3§;§§g2M
`SEARCHABLE COMMAND
`SETS TO ONE OF
`THE ASSIGNABLE KEYS
`
`IS
`THEREA
`PRIOR DEFINED
`PAGE OF
`SE’g:,,C,{,,”,(‘,,B,§E
`SF:_,TS
`
`
`
`
`
`IS ITA
`PAGE UP
`COMWND
`'
`
`SET THE CURRENT COMMAND
`SET TO THE COMMAND SET
`CORRESPONDING TO THE
`EFFECTS OBSERVABLE
`COMMAND ASSIGNED TO THE
`LAST PRESSED ASSIGNED KEY
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:25)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001 Page 6
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 25, 1997
`
`Sheet 6 of 6
`
`5,614,906
`
`MICROPROCESSOR MEMORY 46
`
`BRAND TABLE
`
`”
`
`A DEVICE ID DATA
`
`FIG. 4
`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:26)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001 Page 7
`
`

`
`1
`METHOD FOR SELECTING A REMOTE
`CONTROL COMMAND SET
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to a method for selecting a
`remote control command set from a group of multiple
`command sets stored in a remote control, for controlling
`various remotely controllable electronic devices.
`2. Description of the Related Art Including Information
`Disclosed Under 37 CFR §§ 1.97-1.99
`
`Heretofore, various systems for providing methods of
`selecting a remote control conunand set from a group of
`multiple command sets have been proposed. Several
`examples of analogous and non—analogous methods are
`disclosed in the following U.S. Patents:
`
` Patentee
`U.S. Pat. No.
`
`4,703,359
`4,959,810
`5,485,149
`German Patent Publications:
`
`Rumbolt et al.
`Darbee et al.
`Takiguchi et al.
`
`DE 33 13 493 Al
`
`Telefunken
`
`The Rumbolt et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,703,359 discloses a
`method for adapting a remote control to generate a remote
`command signal having-the appropriate signal structure for
`controlling a selected one of a plurality of electronic devices.
`Once the method is initiated, the remote control automati-
`cally cycles through the entire list of different format com-
`mand lists stored within the remote control’s internal
`memory, transmitting a test command to the desired device
`to be controlled until the user interrupts the cycle. Interrupt-
`ing the cycle of test commands causes the remote control to
`transmit future commands using the signal structure of the
`last test command transmitted prior to interrupting the cycle.
`The Darbee et al., US. Pat. No. 4,959,810 discloses a
`universal remote control system that provides for two meth-
`ods for selecting a remote control command set.
`The first method is a step and set procedure in which the
`list of command sets stored in the remote control are stepped
`through both forward and backwards allowing a test com-
`mand from the currently selected command set to be trans-
`mitted. The user observes the eifeets of the test command to
`determine if the currently selected command set is compat- ‘
`ible with the device the user is wanting to control. When the
`user finds a command set compatible with the device to be
`controlled,
`the user exits the procedure with the remote
`control set to the compatible command set.
`The second method is a direct entry——quick set procedure
`in which the user looks up the make and model of the of the
`device to be controlled from a printed list of devices. The
`user then directly inputs a corresponding code associated
`with the make and model of the device to be controlled to
`index the proper command set from the remote control’s
`internal command set library.
`The Takiguchi et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,149 discloses a
`method for selecting a set of remote control signals from
`multiple remote control signal groups, where each group
`contains multiple sets of remote control signals. Each
`remote control signal group is assigned to one of the
`operating keys.
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`5,614,906
`
`2
`
`Upon entering a select setting mode, the particular set of
`remote control signals within one of the signal groups is-
`selected by the number of times the assigned operating key
`is pressed. A single keypress will select the first set of remote
`control signals within the remote control signal group
`assigned to the pressed key. Pressing the same key a second
`time will select the second set of remote control signals
`within the assigned remote control signal group. Similarly,
`subsequent key presses of the same key will select subse-
`quent sets of remote control signals.
`The Telefunken, German published patent application DE
`33 13 493 A1 discloses a remote control having a table
`containing multiple colurrms of control signals each column
`containing the code signals for operating a particular device
`and a mechanism for selecting the appropriate column of
`control signals.
`The remote control provides for the selection of the
`appropriate column of control signals by automatically
`cycling through the multiple columns of control signals,
`transmitting a trial command, and observing the effect of the
`trial command on the device to be remotely operated. When
`the desired result is observed, the user signals the remote
`control that a successful command has been transmitted. The
`remote control then eliminates from consideration all col-
`urrms of control signals that do not contain the matched
`successful
`trial command. If more than one column of
`control signals match the successful
`trial command, the
`remote control repeats the above procedure using a different
`trial command and cycling through only the remaining
`columns of control signals until all columns of command
`signals have been eliminated except one.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`According to the present invention there is provided a
`method for selecting a remote control command set from a
`group of multiple command sets stored in a remote control,
`for controlling various remotely controllable electronic
`devices. The method includes assigning multiple effects
`observable commands (e.g. a “power off’ command) from a
`group of command sets stored in the remote control to
`multiple user actuated switches or keys of the remote
`control.
`
`The user then actuates the switches or keys, one at a time,
`with the corresponding assigned effects observable com-
`mand being transmitted. The user continues to actuate keys
`until
`the user observes the remotely controlled device
`responding properly to the transmitted command. The user
`then terminates the selection procedure with the remote
`control setting the active command set to the command set
`from which the successful effects observable command was
`assigned.
`By assigning a single command set to a single user
`actuated key, the negative eifects of a user key actuation that
`results in a double key actuation or not registering due to
`failure to fully actuate the key is minimized. If the user
`suspects the key was not fully actuated, the user can repeat
`that particular key actuation. If the user inadvertently causes
`the remote to detect a double key actuation, the remote
`control merely sends the effects observable command from
`the assigned command set twice. If the user wishes to
`actuate a particular key several times in order to confirm its
`effect on the responding device, he may do so at any point
`during the process without alfecting the process.
`The command sets stored in the remote control can be
`permanently stored in the remote control at the time of
`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:27)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001 Page 8
`
`

`
`5,614,906
`
`3
`manufacture or downloaded from an external source. The
`ability to download command sets from an external source
`allows the remote control to provide remote control func-
`tionality with future devices whose particular transmission
`protocol or commands have not yet been determined.
`The method for selecting a remote control command set
`from a group of multiple command sets stored in a remote
`control, further provides for inputting a criteria code for
`limiting or filtering the list of command sets to be searched
`through to those command sets that work with devices
`meeting a particular criteria. In this way, the entire list of
`command sets do not need to be searched through. Similarly
`it does not require the user to know all the details about a
`particular device in order to determine and set the appro-
`priate command set.
`Where the number of command sets to be searched
`through exceeds the number of keys with which the effects
`observable commands are assigned, the method additionally
`provides for the ability to page through sub-groups of
`command sets. Each subgroup being no larger than the
`number of assignable keys.
`Where a remote control provides for multiple modes, each
`mode providing for the remote operation of a different
`device (i.e. TV, VCR, cable box, etc.), a dilferent command
`set can be selected for each of the available modes.
`
`Other objects and advantages of the present application
`will be apparent from the detailed description and drawings
`which follow.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the top face of a remote
`control
`incorporating the method for selecting a remote
`control command set from a group of multiple command
`sets stored in the remote control.
`
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the internal circuitry of the
`remote control shown in FIG. 1.
`
`FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D are each portions of a flow chart
`that together provide instructions for assisting in the control
`of the remote control with particular emphasis on the steps
`that provide for the method of selecting a remote control
`command set from a group of multiple command sets stored
`in the remote control.
`
`FIG. 4 is schematic layout of a portion of a BRAND
`TABLE and of a list of DEVICE ID DATA stored in a
`memory (RAM) of a microprocessor shown in FIG. 2.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, there is
`illustrated in FIG. 1 a plan view of the top face of a remote
`control 10 incorporating the method for selecting a remote
`control command set from a group of multiple command
`sets stored in the remote control.
`
`The remote control includes a set of user actuated keys 12,
`including a power key 14, numeric keys 16, mode keys 18,
`a magic key 20, and channel up and channel down keys 22.
`The remote control 10 further includes a visual LED 24 and
`an infra-red LED (not shown), located at the front 26 of the
`remote control 10.
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the internal circuitry 28 of the
`remote control shown in FIG. 1. The internal circuitry 28 is
`similar to the circuitry described in Escobosa et al., U.S. Ser.
`No. 08/251,336, filed May 31, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No.
`
`65
`
`4
`5,537,463, whose specification is incorporated herein by
`reference.
`
`The internal circuitry 28 includes a control circuit 30, an
`oscillator circuit 32, a reset circuit 34, a key pad circuit 36,
`an external data input circuit 38, and an LED driver circuit
`40.
`The control circuit 30 monitors and controls the overall
`functioning of the remote control 10. In a preferred embodi-
`ment it incorporates a microprocessor 42, with associated
`semiconductor memory in the form of ROM 44 and/or RAM
`46. The semiconductor memory is used to store both pro-
`gram operating instructions and program data for assisting in
`the control of the remote control 10.
`
`The oscillator circuit 32 provides a clocking signal to the
`control circuit 30. The reset circuit 34 provides a reset signal
`to the control circuit when the internal circuitry 28 is initially
`powered up. The key pad circuit 36 incorporates the user
`actuated keys 12 and provides circuitry in conjunction with
`the control circuit 30 for decoding which one of the user
`actuated keys 12 has been actuated.
`The external data input circuit 38 receives data from a
`source external to the remote control 10. The particular
`circuitry can take the form of any one of many traditional
`forms of communication, whether wired or wireless. In one
`preferred embodiment the external data communication is
`accomplished by a magnetic modem similar to the one
`described in the Escobosa application, U.S. Ser. No. 08/251,
`336, filed May 31, 1994, referred to above.
`The LED driver circuit 40 is coupled to the control circuit
`30 and incorporates the visual LED 24 and the infra-red
`LED (not shown) located at the front 26 of the remote
`control 10 and provides the LEDs with driving power in
`response to signals received from the control circuit 30. The
`visual LED 24 provides the user with visual feedback
`concerning the remote control’s 10 activity. The infra—red
`LED provides the signalling capability for sending the
`remote control signals to the devices to be controlled.
`FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D are each portions of a flow chart
`that together provide instructions for assisting in the control
`of the remote control with particular emphasis on the steps
`that provide for the method of selecting a remote control
`command set from a group of multiple command sets stored
`in the remote control.
`
`FIG. 3A shows the starting point of the instructions to be
`executed by the microprocessor 42 in controlling the remote
`control 10. The flow chart begins by waiting for an interrupt
`or an indication that a key or switch 12 has been pressed or
`actuated. Upon actuation of a key or switch 12, a determi-
`nation is made as to which key has been pressed.
`If a mode key 18 is pressed the remote control 10 sets the
`current command set from which commands will be trans-
`mitted to the command set chosen for the selected mode. The
`mode keys 18 preferably include separate mode keys 18 for
`a TV, a VCR, a Cable Box, as well as any other device for
`which an infra—red remote control transmitter could be used
`to remotely control the device.
`the remote control 10
`If a command key is pressed,
`transnrits the particular operating command associated with
`the pressed command key from the currently selected com-
`mand set.
`
`If an enter setup key is pressed the remote control 10
`enters a setup mode used to configure the remote control 10.
`In the preferred embodiment the enter setup key is equiva-
`lent to the magic key 20, however it can take any one of
`various forms including a slider switch or a combination of
`key presses.
`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:28)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001 Page 9
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`

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`5,614,906
`
`5
`Upon entering the setup mode, the remote control 10
`waits until it receives a set up code. If the setup code is a
`setup function code, the execution of operating instructions
`of the remote control 10 branches to FIG. 3B to perform
`instructions to determine which function code has been
`requested to be performed.
`If the setup code is a criteria code, indicating a particular
`subset of command code sets, the remote control sets the
`searchable command sets to the command sets meeting the
`received criteria and branches the execution of instructions
`to FIG. 3C to perform instructions to select a new command
`set for the currently active mode.
`The criteria code allows the remote control to restrict the
`number of searchable command sets to only those command
`sets used with devices meeting a particular criteria and\or to
`determine a difierent order of assigning the effects observ-
`able commands.
`
`Preferably the effects observable commands will be
`assigned to the user actuated keys in order of decreasing
`popularity. However a command set that is not very popular
`when one considers the entire list of stored command sets
`used for operating a television, may be the most popular
`command set used for operating a television manufactured
`by a particular manufacturer. The use of a criteria code
`representing a particular manufacturer by the user can be
`used to establish a different assignment order based on the
`popularity of command sets following the indicated criteria.
`Examples of difierent possible criteria include codes for
`different manufacturers, codes for equipment manufactured
`or purchased between a specified time period, devices sold
`through a particular retail outlet, etc.
`Additionally in someembodirnents it is possible to allow
`for the entry of multiple criteria in order to further isolate the
`proper command set for operating ’a particular device.
`If the setup code is neither a function code nor a setup
`code, it is assumed the user inadvertently entered the setup
`mode and the execution of the operating instructions of the
`remote control 10 branches to the start of the instructions in
`FIG. 3A.
`
`FIG. 3B shows the program steps performed when a
`function code is received after entering the setup mode. First
`a determination is made to identify which function is being
`requested to be executed. If the function code is determined
`to be a download code,
`the remote control executes a
`procedure to receive one or more command sets via the
`external data input. The searchable subset of command sets
`are defined to include the received command sets and the
`execution of the operating instructions branches to FIG. 3C.
`Similarly, an alternative embodiment can allow the
`received command sets to supplement the command sets
`previously stored in the remote control 10.
`In the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 3A through 3D the
`remote control enters a command set selection procedure
`after downloading the received data, however it is not
`necessary for the selection procedure to be entered imme-
`diately after downloading of the received data, but can be
`delayed until the user chooses. Similarly, the data received
`does not necessarily have to be one or more command sets,
`but can include updates to already stored command sets or
`other related data.
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`If the function code is a search code, the searchable set of
`commands is defined to include the command sets stored in
`the remote control without first inputting a criteria code or
`downloading command sets. This allows the user to directly
`enter the procedure to select the new command set without
`first entering a criteria code or performing another function.
`
`65
`
`6
`FIGS. 3C and 3D shows the program steps for selecting
`the new command set from the list of searchable command
`sets. Initially, as shown in FIG. 3C a determination is made
`whether the number of searchable command sets exceeds the
`number of assignable user actuated keys or switches.
`If the number of searchable command sets is greater than
`the number of assignable user actuated keys or switches the
`searchable command sets are broken up into multiple pages
`of command sets no greater in size than the number of
`assignable user actuated keys that can be paged through
`using the channel up and channel down keys 22. The etfects
`observable commands from the currently selected page,
`initially the first page, of command sets is assigned to the
`assignable user‘ actuated keys.
`If the number of searchable command sets is equal to or
`less than the number of assignable user actuated keys or
`switches, the eifects observable commands from the search-
`able command sets, forming a single page of command sets,
`are assigned to the assignable user actuated keys.
`After the effects observable commands for the currently
`selected page have been assigned, the remote control 10
`waits for a key to be pressed. When a key press has been
`detected the remote control 10 determines if the key pressed
`is an assignable user actuated key, a key which has had an
`elfects observable command assigned to it. If it is then the
`remote control
`transmits the assigned effects observable
`command (e.g., a “power off” command) to the device to be
`remotely controlled and loops back to wait for another key
`press. The user observes the device to be remotely controlled
`for a visual indication of a compatible command.
`In the preferred embodiment the assignable user actuated
`keys include the power key 14 and the numeric keys 16. The
`assignable user actuated keys are assigned in the order of the
`power key 14 first, followed by the numeric keys 16 in order
`starting with the “one” key and ending with the “zero” key.
`Additionally the preferred effects observable command is a
`power otf command.
`If the key pressed is a page down command (i.e. a channel
`down key 22), and a subsequent page of command sets is
`defined. Then the remote control 10 reassigns an efi’ects
`observable command from each of the command sets from
`the subsequent page of command sets to the assignable user
`actuated keys and loops back to wait for another key press.
`If the key pressed is a page up command (i.e. a channel
`up key 22), and a prior page of command sets is defined, then
`the remote control reassigns an effects observable command
`from each of the command sets from the prior page of
`command sets to the assignable user actuated keys and loops
`back to wait for another key press.
`If the key pressed is an exit setup key (i.e. a magic key
`20), then the remote control 10 sets the current command set
`for the currently selected mode to the command set corre-
`sponding to the efl°ects observable command assigned to the
`last pressed assigned key. Typically the user exits the setup
`procedure when the user observes the desired effect on the
`device to be controlled by the remote control 10, indicating
`that a compatible command set has been located.
`In this way a method for selecting a compatible command
`set from a library of multiple command sets can be realized. ,
`Similarly different command sets can be selected for each of
`the different device modes by selecting the mode key 18
`corresponding to the desired mode prior to entering the setup
`procedure.
`Often times, a plurality of brands of electronic devices,
`e.g., television sets may share a device entry code. For
`example, the Panasonic code, 035, is also the entry code for
`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001 Page 10
`
`

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`5,614,906
`
`7
`a private labelled television set sold by Montgomery Wards.
`This is illustrated in FIG. 4.
`
`Additionally, as shown in FIG. 4, the priority order may
`be diiferent from brand name to brand name, even though
`they use the same device entry code. For example the Sony
`number 1 code is 033, but this device entry code is only the
`Wards number 2 code.
`
`From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the
`method for selecting a remote control command set from a
`group of multiple command sets stored in a remote control,
`for controlling various remotely controllable electronic
`devices of the present invention has a number of advantages,
`some of which have been described above and others of
`which are inherent in the method of the invention. Also it
`will be understood that modifications can be made to the
`method for selecting a remote control command set
`described above without departing from the teachings of the
`invention.
`I claim:
`1. A method for selecting an appropriate one of a plurality
`of command sets stored in a remote control having a
`plurality of assignable user actuated switches or keys for
`controlling a remotely controllable electronic device, com-
`prising the steps of:
`(a) assigning an eifects observable command from each of
`said plurality of command sets to one of said plurality
`of assignable user actuated switches or keys, each
`assigned, eifects observable command to be transmitted
`when the corresponding one of the assignable user
`actuated switches or keys is actuated;
`(b) actuating sequentially and individually each one of the
`plurality of assignable user actuated switches or keys,
`to individually transrrrit each assigned cfiects observ-
`able command until the proper effect is observed;
`(c) halting the actuating of the plurality of assignable user
`actuated switches or keys; and
`(d) setting the remote control to transmit future remote
`control commands from the command set containing
`the last transmitted effects observable command.
`2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of
`receiving the plurality of command sets from an external
`source prior to the step of assigning an etfects observable
`command.
`3. The method of claim 2, wherein said external source
`communicates with the remote control via a wireless signal
`transmission.
`4. The method of claim 2, wherein said external source
`communicates with the remote control via a wired signal
`transmission.
`5. The method of claim 2, wherein said external source
`communicates with the remote control via a magnetic
`modem coupled to a telephone handset.
`6. The method of claim 1, further com