(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2001/0045819 A1
`Harris ct al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`NOV. 29, 2001
`
`US 20010045819A1
`
`(54) STATE-BASED REMOTE CONTROL
`SYSTEM
`
`(76) Inventors; Glen McLean Harris, Mississauga
`(CA); Justin M. Henry, Mississauga
`(CA)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Michael S. Neustel
`Suite No. 4
`2534 South University Drive
`Fargo, ND 58103 (US)
`
`(21) Appl' NO"
`(22) Filed:
`
`09/804’718
`Man 12’ 2001
`
`Related US Application Data
`
`(63) Non_provisional of provisional application NO_
`60/189,487, ?led on Mar, 15, 2000, Non-provisional
`of provisional application No. 60/253,727, ?led on
`Nov. 29, 2000.
`
`Publication Classi?cation
`
`(51) Int. Cl.7 ..................................................... .. H05F 1/00
`(52) US. Cl. ............................................................ .. 323/371
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A state-based remote control system for providing ef?cient
`and simple operation of a plurality of electronic devices as
`a coordinated system based upon an overall task. The
`state-based remote control system includes a housing, a
`keypad in communication With an electronic system con
`tained Within the housing, and a communication device in
`communication With the electronic system for communicat
`ing With external electronic devices. The electronic system
`monitors the buttons selected by a user to determine the state
`of all external electronic devices that are to be controlled.
`When the user selects a task (e.g. Watch television), the
`electronic system automatically determines the actions
`required to achieve the desired task based upon the current
`state of the external electronic devices. After the task has
`been ful?lled, the electronic system updates the data to
`re?ect the modi?ed state of the external electronic devices.
`
`10
`
`104
`
`112
`
`108
`
`E0
`
`22
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1003 Page 000001
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 29, 2001 Sheet 1 0f 12
`
`US 2001/0045819 A1
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1003 Page 000002
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 29, 2001 Sheet 2 0f 12
`
`US 2001/0045819 A1
`
`WOC
`
`2
`
`w:
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1003 Page 000003
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 29, 2001 Sheet 3 0f 12
`
`US 2001/0045819 A1
`
`2
`
`w:
`
`Wm:
`
`@m
`
`@2
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1003 Page 000004
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 29, 2001 Sheet 4 0f 12
`
`US 2001/0045819 A1
`
`F184
`
`DE’VICE’ #3 Q
`
`DE’VICE’ #1 1_2
`
`
`
`Remote Control 1_0
`
`Device #4 12
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1003 Page 000005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 29, 2001 Sheet 5 0f 12
`
`US 2001/0045819 A1
`
`0G;
`
`H
`
`Q3
`
`Q H
`
`mw2>wm UEOEWUBM
`
`dociwpxm
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1003 Page 000006
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 29, 2001 Sheet 6 0f 12
`
`US 2001/0045819 A1
`
`v2
`
`AWE/M,
`
`m2
`
`m2
`
`@3 )
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1003 Page 000007
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 29, 2001 Sheet 7 0f 12
`
`US 2001/0045819 A1
`
`F187
`
`
`
`
`
`Externoi Electronic Devices
`
`
`
`Electronic System 0
`
`0
`
`1
`
`CD
`
`
`
`Power Source 4
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1003 Page 000008
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 29, 2001 Sheet 8 0f 12
`
`US 2001/0045819 A1
`
`Task
`Selected’?
`
`Determine Desired
`State 0? All Devices
`
`Send Control Signal to External
`Devices Not Currently in Desired
`State as Shown by Current State
`Data
`
`F168
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1003 Page 000009
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 29, 2001 Sheet 9 0f 12
`
`US 2001/0045819 A1
`
`Determine Action omol External
`Electronic Device?s)
`
`MooliFy Current State of‘ Data ‘to
`ReFlec't Changed State 0F
`Device<s>
`
`F169
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1003 Page 000010
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 29, 2001 Sheet 10 0f 12
`
`US 2001/0045819 A1
`
`Current St0te<AH Devices) = X
`
`Current State<All Devices) = X
`
`I
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1003 Page 000011
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 29, 2001 Sheet 11 0f 12
`
`US 2001/0045819 A1
`
`Watch Television’
`Tusk Selected?
`
`Light > Threshold
`Limit‘?
`
`Stereo Un?
`
`Stereo Switched
`to TV input?
`
`Close Window Blinds
`and Turn 0?? Lights
`
`Turn on Stereo
`
`Switch Stereo to
`TV Input
`
`H6110
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1003 Page 000012
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 29, 2001 Sheet 12 0f 12
`
`US 2001/0045819 A1
`
`Television Dn'?
`
`Turn Television on
`
`J
`
`Any Unnecessary
`Devices Dn'?
`
`Yes
`
`Turn 0?? Unnecessary
`Devices
`
`Television Volume
`Adequate?
`
`Adjust Volume
`Accordingly
`J
`
`Fllllik)
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1003 Page 000013
`
`

`

`US 2001/0045819 A1
`
`Nov. 29, 2001
`
`STATE-BASED REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] Cross-Reference to Related US. Provisional Patent
`Applications
`[0002] I hereby claim bene?t under Title 35, United States
`Code, Section 119(e) of US. provisional patent application
`Serial No. 60/189,487 ?led Mar. 15, 2000, and US. provi
`sional patent application Serial No. 60/253,727 ?led Nov.
`29, 2000. This application is a continuation of the Ser. Nos.
`60/189,487 and 60/253,727 applications. The Ser. Nos.
`60/189,487 and 60/253,727 applications are currently pend
`ing. The Ser. Nos. 60/ 189,487 and 60/253,727 applications
`are hereby incorporated by reference into this patent appli
`cation.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0003] The present invention relates generally to remote
`control devices and more speci?cally it relates to a state
`based remote control system for providing ef?cient and
`simple operation of a plurality of electronic devices as a
`coordinated system based upon an overall task.
`[0004] Description of the Prior Art
`
`[0005] Remote control devices have been in use for years.
`Remote control devices are utiliZed to operate various
`external electronic devices including but not limited to
`televisions, stereos, receivers, VCRs, DVD players, CD
`players, ampli?ers, equalizers, tape players, cable units,
`lighting, WindoW shades and other electronic devices. A
`conventional remote control is typically comprised of a
`housing structure, a keypad Within the housing structure for
`entering commands by the user, electronic circuitry Within
`the housing structure connected to the keypad, and a trans
`mitter electrically connected to the electronic circuitry for
`transmitting a control signal to an electronic device to be
`operated.
`[0006] The user depresses one or more buttons upon the
`keypad When a desired operation of a speci?c electronic
`device is desired. For example, if the user desires to turn the
`poWer off to a VCR, the user Will depress the poWer button
`upon the remote control Which transmits a “poWer off”
`control signal that is detected by the VCR resulting in the
`VCR turning off.
`
`[0007] Because of the multiple electronic devices cur
`rently available Within many homes and businesses today, a
`relatively neW type of remote control is utiliZed to alloW for
`the control of a plurality of electronic devices commonly
`referred to as a “universal remote control.” Most universal
`remote controls have “selector buttons” that are associated
`With the speci?c electronic device to be controlled by the
`remote control (i.e. television, VCR, DVD player, etc.).
`[0008] A feW universal remote controls alloW for “mac
`ros” to be programmed into the remote control so that When
`a preprogrammed button is depressed a string of commands
`is executed as programmed. For example, if the user desires
`to operate their television along With the stereo receiving
`input from the television, the user Would program a macro
`for turning on the television, turning on the stereo and then
`sWitching the input to the stereo for receiving audio input
`from the television. The main problem With conventional
`
`universal remote controls is that they are unable to detect or
`monitor the state of a particular electronic device. Another
`problem With conventional universal remote controls is that
`When a preprogrammed macro is executed, an undesirable
`effect can occur Wherein electronic devices that are desired
`to be turned on are actually turned off. For example, if the
`television is already on but the stereo is tuned to a local radio
`station and the user selects the above macro the poWer to the
`television Would actually be turned off instead of maintained
`on.
`
`[0009] Recently, universal remote controls have been
`developed that communicate via radio frequency (RF) With
`external sensing devices that are connected to the electronic
`devices for detecting the current state of the electronic
`device. Other remote controls are able to receive and display
`information from the electronic device they control such as
`displaying the name of a radio station on a display of the
`remote. These devices are relatively expensive and again
`dif?cult to utiliZe for the average consumer.
`
`[0010] The main problem With conventional remote con
`trol devices is that they are typically unable to knoW the
`particular “state” of an electronic device they are to control,
`particularly universal remote controls. A further problem
`With conventional remote controls that do alloW for
`advanced con?guration thereof to compensate for the vari
`ous states of the electronic device is that they are often times
`dif?cult for the average consumer to utiliZe. Another prob
`lem With conventional remote control devices is that they
`force consumers to vieW their electronic devices “individu
`ally” (i.e. turn television on, turn stereo on, sWitch audio
`input on stereo to television) rather than in broad “tasks”
`(eg Watch television).
`[0011] While these devices may be suitable for the par
`ticular purpose to Which they address, they are not as
`suitable for providing ef?cient and simple operation of a
`plurality of electronic devices as a coordinated system based
`upon an overall task. Conventional remote controls are
`typically programmed to operate only one electronic device.
`Conventional universal remote controls are typically pro
`grammed to operate electronic devices “individually” or are
`dif?cult to con?gure to automated control of a plurality of
`electronic devices.
`
`[0012] In these respects, the state-based remote control
`system according to the present invention substantially
`departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the
`prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily
`developed for the purpose of providing efficient and simple
`operation of a plurality of electronic devices as a coordi
`nated system based upon an overall task.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0013] In vieW of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in
`the knoWn types of remote controls noW present in the prior
`art, the present invention provides a neW state-based remote
`control system construction Wherein the same can be utiliZed
`for providing efficient and simple operation of a plurality of
`electronic devices as a coordinated system based upon an
`overall task.
`
`[0014] The general purpose of the present invention,
`Which Will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to
`provide a neW state-based remote control system that has
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1003 Page 000014
`
`

`

`US 2001/0045819 A1
`
`Nov. 29, 2001
`
`many of the advantages of the remote controls mentioned
`heretofore and many novel features that result in a neW
`state-based remote control system Which is not anticipated,
`rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the
`prior art remote controls, either alone or in any combination
`thereof.
`
`[0015] To attain this, the present invention generally com
`prises a housing, a keypad in communication With an
`electronic system contained Within the housing, and a com
`munication device in communication With the electronic
`system for communicating With external electronic devices.
`The electronic system constantly monitors the buttons
`selected by a user to determine the state of all external
`electronic devices that are to be controlled. When the user
`selects a task (e.g. Watch television), the electronic system
`automatically determines the actions required to achieve the
`desired task based upon the current state of the external
`electronic devices. After the task has been ful?lled, the
`electronic system updates the data to re?ect the modi?ed
`state of the external electronic devices.
`
`[0016] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the
`more important features of the invention in order that the
`detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in
`order that the present contribution to the art may be better
`appreciated. There are additional features of the invention
`that Will be described hereinafter and that Will form the
`subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
`
`[0017] In this respect, before explaining at least one
`embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood
`that the invention is not limited in its application to the
`details of construction and to the arrangements of the
`components set forth in the folloWing description or illus
`trated in the draWings. The invention is capable of other
`embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in
`various Ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phrase
`ology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose
`of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.
`
`[0018] A primary object of the present invention is to
`provide a state-based remote control system that Will over
`come the shortcomings of the prior art devices.
`
`[0019] A second object is to provide a state-based remote
`control system for providing ef?cient and simple operation
`of a plurality of electronic devices as a coordinated system
`based upon an overall task.
`
`[0020] Another object is to provide a state-based remote
`control system that provides for intuitive operation of a
`plurality of electronic devices.
`
`[0021] An additional object is to provide a state-based
`remote control system that alloWs for the simple operation of
`a plurality of electronic devices based upon an overall “task”
`instead of speci?c controls for speci?c electronic devices.
`
`[0022] A further object is to provide a state-based remote
`control system that is simple and easy to utiliZe for the
`average consumer.
`
`[0023] Another object is to provide a state-based remote
`control system that does not require signi?cant program
`ming prior to usage.
`
`[0024] An additional object is to provide a state-based
`remote control system that is affordable.
`
`[0025] Other objects and advantages of the present inven
`tion Will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that
`these objects and advantages are Within the scope of the
`present invention.
`
`[0026] To the accomplishment of the above and related
`objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illus
`trated in the accompanying draWings, attention being called
`to the fact, hoWever, that the draWings are illustrative only,
`and that changes may be made in the speci?c construction
`illustrated and described Within the scope of the appended
`claims.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0027] Various other objects, features and attendant
`advantages of the present invention Will become fully appre
`ciated as the same becomes better understood When consid
`ered in conjunction With the accompanying draWings, in
`Which like reference characters designate the same or similar
`parts throughout the several vieWs, and Wherein:
`
`[0028] FIG. 1 is an upper perspective vieW of the present
`invention.
`[0029]
`[0030] FIG. 3 is a side vieW of the present invention
`illustrating electronic circuitry Within.
`
`FIG. 2 is a side vieW of the present invention.
`
`[0031] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the commu
`nications betWeen the present invention and a plurality of
`external electronic devices.
`
`[0032] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the electronic
`system of the present invention electrically connected to the
`poWer source and in communication With the external elec
`tronic devices.
`
`[0033] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the electronic
`system along With a plurality of accessory devices connected
`to thereof.
`
`[0034] FIG. 7 is a ?oWchart illustrating the initial pro
`gramming of the present invention prior to usage.
`
`[0035] FIG. 8 is a ?oWchart illustrating the modi?cation
`of the state of external electronic devices not in the desired
`state as desired Within a task to be performed.
`
`[0036] FIG. 9 is a ?oWchart illustrating an action per
`formed upon one or more external devices and modifying
`the memory Within the electronic system accordingly.
`
`[0037] FIG. 10 is a ?oWchart illustrating the modi?cation
`of the memory Within the electronic system to re?ect the
`changed state of the external electronic devices after a task
`or an action has been completed.
`
`[0038] FIGS. 11a-b is a ?oWchart providing an example
`task for Watching television being executed.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`[0039] Turning noW descriptively to the draWings, in
`Which similar reference characters denote similar elements
`throughout the several vieWs, FIGS. 1 through 11 illustrate
`a state-based remote control system 10, Which comprises a
`housing 20, a keypad 114 in communication With an elec
`tronic system 100 contained Within the housing 20, and a
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1003 Page 000015
`
`

`

`US 2001/0045819 A1
`
`Nov. 29, 2001
`
`communication device 108 in communication With the elec
`tronic system 100 for communicating With external elec
`tronic devices 12. The electronic system 100 constantly
`monitors the buttons of the keypad 114 and other sWitches
`selected by a user to determine the state of all external
`electronic devices 12 that are to be controlled. When the user
`selects a task (e.g. Watch television), the electronic system
`100 automatically determines the actions required to achieve
`the desired task based upon the current state of the external
`electronic devices 12. After the task has been ful?lled, the
`electronic system 100 updates the data to re?ect the modi
`?ed state of the external electronic devices 12.
`
`[0040] A. Housing Structure
`
`[0041] The present invention generally is comprised of a
`housing 20 having a structure and shape similar to conven
`tional remote control devices. The housing 20 may be
`constructed of various types of materials and shapes as can
`be appreciated by one skilled in the art. The housing is
`preferably structured to be ergonomic for a majority of
`users.
`
`[0042] B. Electronic System
`
`[0043] The present invention is utiliZed to control and
`operate various external electronic devices including but not
`limited to televisions, stereos, receivers, VCRs, DVD play
`ers, CD players, ampli?ers, equalizers, tape players, cable
`units, satellite dish receivers, lighting, WindoW shades and
`other electronic devices. Almost any number of external
`electronic devices may be controlled by the present inven
`tion as Will be discussed in further detail.
`
`[0044] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary elec
`tronic system 100 for practicing the various aspects of the
`present invention. The electronic system 100 is preferably
`enclosed Within the housing. Aportable poWer source 140 is
`electrically connected to the electronic system 100 for
`providing electrical poWer to the electronic system 100. The
`poWer source 140 may be comprised of any poWer source
`such as a battery structure (disposable or rechargeable), solar
`cells, or direct poWer.
`[0045] The electronic system 100 preferably includes a
`display screen 104, a netWork interface 112, a keypad 114,
`a microprocessor 116, a memory bus 118, random access
`memory (RAM) 120, a speaker 102, read only memory
`(ROM) 122, a peripheral bus 124, a keypad controller 126,
`and a communications device 108. As can be appreciated,
`the electronic system 100 of the present invention may be
`comprised of any combination of Well-knoWn computer
`devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptop comput
`ers, remote control devices and other similar electronic
`structures.
`
`[0046] The microprocessor 116 is a general-purpose digi
`tal processor that controls the operation of the electronic
`system 100. The microprocessor 116 can be a single-chip
`processor or implemented With multiple components. Using
`instructions retrieved from memory, the microprocessor 116
`controls the reception and manipulations of input data and
`the output and display of data on output devices.
`[0047] The memory bus 118 is utiliZed by the micropro
`cessor 116 to access RAM 120 and ROM 122. RAM 120 is
`used by microprocessor 116 as a general storage area and as
`scratch-pad memory, and can also be used to store input data
`
`and processed data. ROM 122 can be used to store instruc
`tions or program code folloWed by microprocessor 116 as
`Well as other data.
`
`[0048] Peripheral bus 124 is used to access the input,
`output and storage devices used by the electronic system
`100. In the described embodiment(s), these devices include
`a display screen 104, an accessory device 106, a speaker
`102, a communications device 108, and a netWork interface
`112. A keypad controller 126 is used to receive input from
`the keypad 114 and send decoded symbols for each pressed
`key to microprocessor 116 over bus 128.
`
`[0049] The display screen 104 is an output device that
`displays images of data provided by the microprocessor 116
`via the peripheral bus 124 or provided by other components
`in the electronic system 100. Other output devices such as a
`printer, plotter, typesetter, etc. can be utiliZed as an accessory
`device 106.
`
`[0050] The microprocessor 116 together With an operating
`system operate to execute computer code and produce and
`use data. The computer code and data may reside on RAM
`120, ROM 122, or other storage mediums. The computer
`code and data could also reside on a removable program
`medium and loaded or installed onto the electronic system
`100 When needed. Removable program mediums include,
`for example, PC-CARD, ?ash memory, and ?oppy disk.
`[0051] The netWork interface 112 is utiliZed to send and
`receive data over a netWork connected to other electronic
`systems. The netWork interface may be comprised of a
`Universal Serial Bus (USB), an external bus standard that
`supports data transfer rates of 12 Mbps (12 million bits per
`second). A single USB port can be used to connect up to 127
`peripheral devices, such as mice, modems, and keyboards.
`An interface card or similar device and appropriate softWare
`implemented by microprocessor 116 can be utiliZed to
`connect the electronic system 100 to an existing netWork and
`transfer data according to standard protocols including data
`over a global computer netWork such as the Internet.
`
`[0052] The keypad 114 is used by a user to input com
`mands and other instructions to the electronic system 100.
`Other types of user input devices can also be used in
`conjunction With the present invention. For example, point
`ing devices such as a computer mouse, a jog sWitch 22, a
`track ball, a stylus, or a tablet to manipulate a pointer on a
`screen of the electronic system 100.
`
`[0053] The present invention can also be embodied as
`computer readable code on a computer readable medium.
`The computer readable medium is any data storage device
`that can store data Which can be thereafter be read by a
`electronic system. Examples of the computer readable
`medium include read-only memory, random-access
`memory, magnetic data storage devices such as diskettes,
`and optical data storage devices such as CD-ROMs. The
`computer readable medium can also be distributed over a
`netWork coupled electronic systems so that the computer
`readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.
`
`[0054] The communications device 108 may be comprised
`of any Well-knoWn communication system that alloWs com
`munications With external electronic devices. The commu
`nications device 108 may provide for various types of
`communication such as but not limited to via infrared (IR),
`Wireless (e. g. BLUETOOTH), unidirectional, bi-directional,
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1003 Page 000016
`
`

`

`US 2001/0045819 A1
`
`Nov. 29, 2001
`
`radio frequency (RF), visible light, ultrasonic and various
`other means for communicating With external electronic
`devices.
`
`[0055] The environmental unit 110 senses environmental
`information such as lighting, motion, orientation, tempera
`ture, audio and other environmental information. The envi
`ronmental unit 110 communicates the detected environmen
`tal information to the microprocessor 116 for consideration
`in controlling the external electronic devices. The environ
`mental unit 110 includes the appropriate sensors such as
`light sensors, temperature sensors, sound sensors and other
`desirable sensors to determine the environment conditions
`external of the housing.
`[0056] Input into the electronic system is accomplished
`mainly through the usage of the keypad 114. The keypad 114
`includes a plurality of buttons that alloW the user to execute
`one or more commands. The keypad 114 alloWs for the
`control of basic functions such as volume, channel manipu
`lation, mute, and last channel. HoWever, the keypad 114 may
`also include several buttons that represent a speci?c task
`such as Watch television, listen to radio and various other
`tasks. Various other input devices may be utiliZed to input
`data into the electronic system such as a jog sWitch 22 (i.e.
`dial), motion and orientation detectors, touch sensitive
`screens and voice recognition. The display 104 provides
`information to the user such as possible tasks to complete or
`the current state of the external electronic devices.
`[0057] C. InitialiZing/SynchroniZing of Electronic Sys
`tem With External Devices
`[0058] Prior to utiliZing the present invention, the user
`must program the electronic system 100 to not only recog
`niZe all of the external electronic devices 12 to be controlled
`but also as to each external electronic device 12 respective
`current “states” (i.e. on, off, current input, current output,
`etc.) as is shoWn in FIG. 7 of the draWings.
`[0059] The initial programming of the electronic system
`100 may be accomplished through various Well-knoWn
`means such as entering a code for each speci?c external
`electronic device. “Sampling” of a signal from a remote
`control utiliZed to control a speci?c electronic device may
`also be utiliZed to assist in the programming of the electronic
`system 100. Various other methods may be utiliZed to
`program the electronic system 100 to recogniZe and control
`the external electronic devices 12 Which are Well knoWn in
`the art.
`
`[0060] After all of the external electronic devices 12 have
`been properly programmed into the electronic system 100,
`the user then must program the “current state” of each
`external electronic device into the electronic system 100.
`This is accomplished typically by the user ansWering a series
`of questions shoWn on the display regarding each display.
`For example, the display may ask “Is the television turned
`on?” Which the user Would respond to. It can be appreciated
`that there can also be a default state for all of the external
`devices as being “off.” All of the programmed “Current State
`Data” is stored Within memory of the electronic system 100.
`[0061] D. Current State Data
`[0062] “Current State Data” is data information relating to
`the current state of each of the external electronic devices 12
`
`stored Within the electronic system 100. The “state” of an
`external electronic device 12 is comprised of various vari
`ables such as but not limited to poWer on, poWer off, volume
`level, mute on, mute off, audio input, audio output, video
`input, video output, lights on, lights off, shades open, shades
`closed, and various other states common to external elec
`tronic devices 12. The Current State Data is updated as
`actions and/or tasks are performed to provide an accurate
`re?ection of the actual current state of the external electronic
`devices 12. The Current State Data is utiliZed by the
`electronic system 100 to determine What external electronic
`devices 12 require modi?cation When a “task” is selected by
`the user to prevent undesirable events from occurring.
`
`[0063] E. Actions
`
`[0064] An “action” is a speci?c event that occurs that
`typically only affects one of the external devices. An
`example of an action is When the user selects the poWer
`button on the keypad 114 to turn off the television Which
`causes the television to sWitch from on to off or vice-versa.
`
`[0065] The Current State Data is immediately modi?ed to
`re?ect the changed state of the television or other external
`electronic device after an action occurs as shoWn in FIGS.
`9 and 10 of the draWings. The Current State Data is
`constantly updated to maintain an accurate re?ection of the
`actual current state of the external electronic devices 12.
`
`[0066] F. Tasks
`
`[0067] A “task” may be comprised of one or more
`“actions” depending upon (1) the desired state of all external
`devices as prescribed by the task, and (2) the current state of
`all external devices. Examples of tasks are “Watch televi
`sion,”“listen to radio,”“Watch video,”“listen to CD’s,
`”“Watch DVD”, and so forth. There are many more tasks that
`may accomplished With the present invention that are not
`discussed but are deemed readily apparent to one skilled in
`the art.
`
`[0068] Each task has a “desired state” for each of the
`external electronic devices 12. When a task is selected,
`either through the keypad or the display, the electronic
`system 100 immediately determines the Current State Data
`and compares this data to the “Desired State Data” for all of
`the external electronic devices 12. After determining Which
`external electronic devices 12 are in the desired state and
`Which are not in the desired state, the electronic system 100
`transmits a communication signal to the external electronic
`devices 12 that are not in the desired state to sWitch to the
`desired state based upon the task to be performed.
`
`[0069] Another function of the present invention is to
`alloW for the electronic system 100 to determine What menu
`options (i.e. “tasks”) that are available upon the display 104
`based upon the current state of the external electronic
`devices 12. For example, if the television is currently on, the
`menu Within the display may display the “Turn Television
`Off” task instead of the “Turn Television On” task Which is
`not required.
`
`[0070] G. Watch Television Task Example
`
`[0071] Assuming for the sake of example that a user using
`the present invention has (1) interior lighting, (2) electroni
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1003 Page 000017
`
`

`

`US 2001/0045819 A1
`
`Nov. 29, 2001
`
`cally controlled shades, (3) a stereo, (4) a television, (5) a
`CD player, and (6) a VCR Which are programmed and
`synchronized Within the electronic system as stated above.
`FIG. 11 illustrates the “WATCH TELEVISION” task.
`BeloW is a sample listing of the “Current State Data” prior
`to the selection of the WATCH TELEVISION task as shoWn
`in FIG. 11 of the draWings.
`
`Current State Data
`
`External Device
`
`Initial State Prior to Execution of Task
`
`1. Room Lighting
`
`2. Stereo
`3. Television
`4. CD Player
`5. VCR
`
`Lights turned on and shades open during evening
`hours.
`Turned on With input audio from CD player.
`Turned off With volume very high.
`On and playing CD.
`Off.
`
`[0072] After selecting the desired WATCH TELEVISION
`task, the electronic system 100 immediately reads the Cur
`rent State Data and compares the same to the “Desired State
`Data.” BeloW is a listing of the Desired State Data for the
`WATCH TELEVISION task.
`
`Desired State Data
`
`External Device
`
`Desired State After Execution of Task
`
`1. Room Lighting
`2. Stereo
`3. Television
`4. CD Player
`5. VCR
`
`Light threshold at a minimum.
`Turned on With input audio from television.
`Turned on With volume at a low-medium setting.
`Off.
`Off.
`
`[0073] After comparing the Current State Data to the
`Desired State Data, the electronic system 100 determines
`that the room lighting needs to be reduced by turning off
`lights and closing shades along With sWitching the audio
`input to the television. The electronic system 100 further
`determines that the television needs to be turned on and the
`CD player turned off. BeloW is a listing of the individual
`actions that the electronic system 100 takes to perform the
`WATCH TELEVISION task.
`
`Current State Data
`After Execution of Task
`
`External Device
`
`Current State After Execution of Task
`
`1. Room Lighting
`2. Stereo
`3. Television
`4. C