United States Patent [191
`Dar bee
`
`[54] REMOTELY UPGRADABLE UNIVERSAL
`REMOTE CONTROL
`Inventor: Paul V. Darbee, Santa Ana, Calif.
`[75]
`[73] Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.,
`Twinsburg, Ohio
`[21] Appl. No.: 587,326
`Sep.24, 1990
`[22] Filed:
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`[63] Continuation-in-part ofSer. No. 127,999, Dec. 2, 1987,
`Pat. No. 4,959,810.
`[51]
`Int. Cl.S ............................................ H04M 11/00
`[52] u.s. Cl. ···································· 379/102; 379/444;
`358/194.1; 358/142
`[58] Field of Search ............... 379/104, 105, 102, 443,
`379/444; 358/194.1, 142, 146, 147
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,028,493 6/1977 Brennemann et al ..
`4,488,179 12/1984 KrUger et al .................... 358/194.1
`4,503,288 3/1985 Kessler ................................ 379/104
`4,599,491 7/1986 Serrano ............................... 379/444
`4,625,080 1111986 Scott ................................... 379/104
`4,626,848 12/1986 Ehlers .............................. 358/194.1
`4,885, 766 12/1989 Yasuoka et al ..................... 379/105
`4,918,439 4/1990 Wozniak et al ..................... 379/102
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2166322 4/1986 United Kingdom ................ 379/102
`2192743 111988 United Kingdom .
`8706416 10/1987 World Int. Prop. 0 ........ 358/194.1
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`I. Dorros, "Telephone nets go digital", IEEE Spec(cid:173)
`trum, Apr. 1983, pp. 48-53.
`Primary Examiner-James L. Dwyer
`
`111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US005228077 A
`[II] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,228,077
`Jul. 13, 1993
`
`Assistant Examiner-Wing F. Chan
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Thomas R. Vigil
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`The universal remote control system includes a univer(cid:173)
`sal remote control comprising an input including a set of
`keys or push buttons for inputting commands into the
`remote control, infrared signal output circuitry for sup(cid:173)
`plying an infrared signal to a controlled device includ(cid:173)
`ing IR lamp driver circuitry, a central processing unit
`(CPU) coupled to the input and to the signal output
`circuitry, a single, non-volatile read-write memory cou(cid:173)
`pled to the CPU and data coupling circuitry including
`terminal structure comprising a receiving port coupled
`to the CPU for enabling code data for creating appro(cid:173)
`priate IR lamp driver instructions for causing the infra(cid:173)
`red signal output circuitry to emit infrared signals
`which will cause specific functions to occur in a specific
`controlled device, for operating a variety of devices to
`be controlled, to be supplied from outside the remote
`control through the receiving port of the terminal struc(cid:173)
`ture directly to the CPU for direct entry to the memory
`to enable the remote control to control various devices
`to be controlled upon the inputting of commands to the
`keys of the input. The universal remote control system
`further includes a data transmission system including
`coupling circuitry for coupling the terminal structure to
`a computer directly, through a modem to a telephone
`line, or through a television set to a television signal
`picked up by the television set, the coupling circuitry
`including a cable, a first connector for connection to the
`terminal structure at one end of the cable, and an inter(cid:173)
`face connector at the other end of the cable for connect(cid:173)
`ing directly to a computer, or through a modem and a
`telephone line to a computer, or to a television set
`which receives data in a television signal from a com(cid:173)
`puter.
`
`21 Claims, 18 Drawing Sheets
`
`302
`
`~300
`
`0
`
`QC
`QC
`CfS§~
`Q
`QCCC
`ecce
`=
`
`318
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1002
`
`Page 1
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`July 13, 1993
`
`Sheet 1 of 18
`
`5,228,077
`
`28
`
`FIG. 1
`
`LED4
`
`61
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1002
`
`Page 2
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`July 13, 1993
`
`Sheet 2 of 18
`
`5,228,077
`
`c:o -
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1002
`
`Page 3
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`July 13, 1993
`
`Sheet 3 of 18
`
`5,228,077
`
`FIG. 3
`
`FIG. 4
`
`24
`
`FIG. 5
`
`14
`
`FIG. 6
`
`24
`
`25
`
`25
`
`12
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1002
`
`Page 4
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`July 13, 1993
`
`Sheet 4 of 18
`
`5,228,077
`
`FIG. 7
`
`LED4
`
`30
`
`12
`
`LATCH 58
`
`36
`
`SERIAL
`PORTS
`1,2,3
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1002
`
`L1
`BATTERY -a.....--r
`52
`
`•
`
`BATTERY
`COMPARTMENT 45
`
`Page 5
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`July 13, 1993
`
`Sheet 5 of 18
`
`5,228,077
`
`FIG. 8
`
`INFRARED
`LIGHT(cid:173)
`8 - BIT
`MICROPROCESSOR
`EMIITING
`DIODE (x3)
`CPU
`lia
`SERIAL~~
`1/0 -~......_ _____ ..,~
`
`RANDOM
`ACCESS
`MEMORY
`M
`
`60
`
`4 X 14
`KEYBOARD
`
`4 X "AAA"
`BAITERY
`
`FIG. 10
`
`45
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1002
`
`Page 6
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`July 13, 1993
`
`Sheet 6 of 18
`
`5,228,077
`
`117
`\
`"-: WRITE PROTECT
`~ CIRCUIT78J
`1181
`
`rVCC
`
`WAKE UP
`CIRC T Ul 70)
`~106
`~21
`Hr-
`
`RESET
`/CIRCUITRY
`
`-r
`
`-r
`
`104
`
`·-::-
`}'-'\
`110
`
`-.;-
`
`17S rr- ~ f-'vv'-
`
`116 -1: h ~~174
`7so ~21
`T
`111 I
`~3-:-
`
`-:-
`
`170 ~
`
`~
`46
`
`-
`
`= -:.~ 1
`52 L -:-
`
`RAM
`~
`
`)
`
`CwRITE
`ENABLE
`LINE 176
`
`FIG . 9A
`
`LATCH
`sa
`
`MULTIPLEX
`LINES 150 \
`
`I
`
`*
`
`'(
`
`\
`\
`
`LOWER 8 BIT
`ADDRESS BUS
`r ALE 108
`r141
`r142
`r143
`_e144
`_e145
`_e_146
`_c147
`
`_i
`I
`I
`1
`J
`_j_
`1
`\ v
`
`148
`
`.
`
`L
`c151
`r152
`r153
`r154
`r-155
`
`158)
`
`156
`
`[
`
`164~
`
`[160
`
`'--162
`
`1
`
`j_
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1002
`
`Page 7
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`July 13, 1993
`
`Sheet 7 of 18
`
`5,228,077
`
`FIG 98
`•
`
`N'
`
`N'
`
`~N'
`
`~
`
`~ =
`
`132 133
`
`137
`
`)
`
`62
`
`) ~~8
`
`./25' /61
`_..;
`
`13(
`
`'
`
`\
`
`..
`
`l l I I
`
`CPU
`56
`
`-
`-
`-
`
`(vee
`
`R
`
`,..,
`
`/
`
`LED4
`
`'
`1 r-~~~
`~
`G
`
`1211
`1221
`1231
`1241
`1251
`1261
`1271
`1281
`
`12
`2~1\..
`
`,--1--
`
`I~
`
`>- 60
`
`63
`
`....
`
`--=r= J-
`r:=::J
`- r .,
`j II
`
`182
`
`.
`
`112
`
`-;.
`
`-
`
`--
`
`--
`
`-
`-
`-
`-
`
`-
`
`----
`
`--
`
`. ~
`. /136
`~~ c '135
`
`I
`114
`L.--
`
`134
`
`-
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1002
`
`Page 8
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`July 13, 1993
`
`Sheet 8 of 18
`
`5,228,077
`
`FIG. 11a
`
`0
`
`0
`
`I
`I
`I
`FIXED BIT TIME,
`fNMV/ ~ FULL WIDTH BURST
`
`0
`
`I
`
`0
`
`0
`
`I
`
`I
`
`0
`
`FIG. 11b ~ lJ:. # !tHJ~ M~ M
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`FIXED BIT TIME,
`BURST WIDTH MODULATED
`
`I 00 I
`I
`FIG. 11c ~ ~ ll {J1l #M W.
`
`0
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`FIXED OFF TIME,
`BURST WIDTH MODULATED
`
`FIG. 11d
`
`I
`0
`~CL tl.
`I
`I
`
`0
`~
`I
`
`I
`U'Y.
`I
`
`I
`I 'W.ll.
`
`0
`
`I u
`
`FIXED BIT TIME,
`SINGLE I DOUBLE BURST
`
`I
`FIG. 11e ~y ~
`
`0
`
`0
`
`I
`I
`~ ~~ ~\J
`I
`
`0
`~
`I
`
`FIXED OFF TIME,
`1 SINGLE I DOUBLE BURST
`
`FIG. 11f t y
`
`0
`
`0
`
`0
`
`Y.
`I
`
`tj
`I
`
`b1
`I .
`
`tJ.
`I
`
`FIXED BURST
`TIME, OFF TIME
`MODULATED
`
`FIG. 11g Wrl{Jmm!
`I
`
`Yi ~ )JWNJJ
`
`~
`
`RANDOM
`
`FIG. 11h
`
`FIG. 11i pn P p pn pn 0
`
`I
`
`0
`
`0
`
`I
`
`I
`
`0
`
`I
`
`·I
`
`ONE FREQUENCY ·
`FOR EACH KEY
`
`SINGLE I DOUBLE PULSE,
`AXED BIT TIME
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1002
`
`Page 9
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`July 13, 1993
`
`Sheet 9 of 18
`
`5,228,077
`
`FIG. 12A
`
`)
`
`STEP 1
`
`STEP2
`
`(
`
`PASS 1
`_+
`
`PRESS KEY
`ON TARGET
`REMOTE
`~
`TRANSFORM
`IRSIGNAL TO
`BIT STREAM
`
`!
`
`STORE BIT
`STREAM (OR
`RUN-LENGTH CODED
`BIT STREAM)
`
`STEP3
`
`FIG. 128 .
`
`+
`
`TRANSFORM
`STORED DATA
`TO LIST OF
`EXECUTABLE
`INSTRUCTIONS.
`WHICH PRODUCE
`BIT STREAM
`
`J
`
`TOPASS2
`
`)
`
`eq. J z 0.. 0.. u. 0.. 0.. z 0.. 0.. u. 0.. z
`
`STEP4
`
`u.. 0 0 0 0 0 u. 0 -
`0 0 0
`a: z z 0 z z a: z z 0 z
`(!)
`.
`w
`a:
`a:
`m
`·0
`....
`0..
`:;!
`..,
`::::>
`
`z
`(!)
`,W
`m
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1002
`
`Page 10
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`July 13, 1993
`
`Sheet 10 of 18
`
`5,228,077
`
`FIG. 13A
`
`PASS2 )
`+
`PRESS KEY
`ON TARGET
`REMOTE AGAIN
`~
`FILTER OUT
`CARRIER FROM
`IR BIT STREAM
`
`+
`
`MEASURE ON
`TIMES AND
`OFF TIMES
`
`+
`
`STORE
`
`ON/OFF DATA •
`
`ANALYZE DATA
`FOR REPETITION
`
`~
`
`STORE REPETITION
`SCHEME
`
`•
`
`STORE POINTER
`TO KEY
`
`FIG. 138
`
`IR BIT STREAM
`r-1~--~rl~--
`FILTERED
`BIT STREAM
`
`OFF
`TIME
`
`FIG. 13C
`
`FILTERED
`BIT STREAM
`
`REPETITION
`(DISCARD)
`
`STEPS
`
`STEP 6
`~
`ON
`TIME
`
`STEP7
`
`STEPS
`
`STEP9
`
`STEP10
`
`STEP 11
`
`+
`
`CODE CAPTURED )
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1002
`
`Page 11
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`July 13, 1993
`
`Sheet 11 of 18
`
`5,228,077
`
`FIG. 14
`
`PLAYBACK
`
`PRESS KEY FOR
`DESIRED FUNCTION
`
`STEP 1
`
`POINT TO FIRST
`OWOFFTIME
`
`STEP2
`
`SETTIMERTO
`GENERATE INTERRUPT
`AFTER ON TIME
`
`STEP3
`
`EXECUTE CARRIER
`GENERATOR CODE
`LOOP
`
`STEP4
`
`NO
`
`STEPS
`
`SET TIMER TO
`GENERATE INTERRUPT
`AFTER OFF TIME
`
`STEPS
`
`EXECUTENOP
`(NO OPERATION)
`
`STEP7
`
`POINT TO
`NEXTOWOFF
`TIME
`
`STEP10
`
`STEPS
`
`STEP9
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1002
`
`Page 12
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`July 13, 1993
`
`Sheet 12 of 18
`
`5,228,077
`
`FIG. 15
`
`LED4
`
`18
`
`~10
`
`II c.6te I II I Til I Ill !!'~>WeT I I
`'IIC~l
`I "' 1}0 l I Ill 1}0 2 I I
`,, 'JIC~2 I "' C'D
`II ~ I II j•~ Ill Stop I Ill !!'•use I I
`II ~ew I Ill~ I II~ II2:S I
`,, !\ltm I I
`IDIIc:~ II,:::S 1181 /12
`I III'Jior~l I
`~~~~~~~Ill 6
`I~~ II~~ II~~ I
`I~~ II~~ II~~ I
`.1~1181
`
`61
`
`I c::::::J I
`1,~ !loll,~ II,:::!:::J I
`,,~ 116 II I~ lll::::S I
`
`.
`
`14
`
`('-___ )
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1002
`
`Page 13
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`July 13, 1993
`
`Sheet 13 of 18
`
`5,228,077
`
`STEP 1
`
`FIG. 16
`
`STEP2
`
`STORE POINTER
`TO CURRENT
`(BEGINNING}
`DRIVER
`
`STEP 3
`
`STEP4
`
`STEPS
`
`POINT TO NEXT
`DRIVER IN
`CIRCULAR LIST
`
`STEP14
`POINT TO
`PREVIOUS
`DRIVER IN
`CIRCULAR LIST
`
`STEP12
`
`BLINK
`LED
`RED
`
`STEP 11
`STEP13
`
`BLINK
`LED
`YELLOW
`
`DONE
`
`STEP15
`
`RESTORE DO 1, DO 2
`MACROS, IF ANY
`
`SEI\0 IR SIGNAL
`FOR FUNCllON
`BLINK LED GREEN STEP B
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1002
`
`Page 14
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`July "13, 1993
`
`Sheet 14 of 18
`
`5,228,077
`
`FIG. 17
`
`LOOKUP
`MAKE AND
`MODEL IN
`BOOKLET
`
`STEP 1
`
`NO
`
`YES
`
`LED
`BLINKS
`GREEN, GREEN
`
`LED
`BLINKS
`LONG YELLOW
`
`PRESS MODE
`KEY
`(TV, VCR, ETC)
`
`STEP3
`
`DONE
`
`PRESS DO,
`ENTER, RECALL
`
`STEP4
`
`PROBLEM
`
`STEPS
`
`NO
`
`RESET, DO NOT
`AL TEA SETTING
`
`STEP7
`
`NO
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1002
`
`Page 15
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`July 13, 1993
`
`Sheet 15 of 18
`
`5,228,077
`
`FIG. 1BA
`
`PRACTICE KEY
`SEQUENCE TO
`MAKE SURE
`IT IS VALID
`
`STEP 1
`
`PRESS
`DO, RECALL
`
`STEP2
`
`FIG. 188
`
`PRESS ANY KEY
`(EXCEPT MODE KEY,
`NUMBER KEYS, OR
`DO, ENTER RECALL}
`
`STEP3
`
`PRESS
`DO KEY
`
`STEP 1
`
`ENTER IN
`SEQUENCE DESIRED KEY.*
`INCLUDE MODE
`AND FUNCTION
`
`STEP4
`
`NO
`
`PRESS
`ASSIGNED
`MACRO
`KEY
`
`STEP2
`
`IRCODES
`TRANSMITTED
`AS MACRO
`EXECUTES
`
`STEP3
`
`STEP7
`
`STEI=>8
`
`* eg. TV, POWER, VCR 1, POWER, PLAY, TV, 3, ENTER
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1002
`
`Page 16
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`July 13, 1993
`
`Sheet 16 of 18
`
`5,228,077
`
`FIG. 19A
`
`PRESS
`MODEKEY
`(TV, VCR, ETC.)
`
`STEP2
`
`FIG. 198
`
`GIG G G G G G G
`RIR R R R R R R
`
`LOOKUP
`BUNK CODE
`IN BOOKLET
`
`STEP 5
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1002
`
`Page 17
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`July 13, 1993
`
`Sheet 17 of 18
`
`5,228,077
`
`FIG. 20
`
`b
`
`251
`25~~ J
`207250
`256
`257
`
`258
`
`+9V
`
`.. ~ 20
`
`FIG. 21
`18MDTR
`
`-9 OR 9V
`
`...
`
`18MRXD
`'T 3 ..
`
`-9V
`
`.. oy-
`
`4
`
`FIG. 22
`
`/230
`
`100K
`R3
`
`1N5229
`4.3V
`CR1
`
`..
`
`224
`
`226
`
`HTXD
`RED
`
`1
`
`T 2 - R1
`272
`o.~G~R~O~U~N~D--~----------~------G_R_O_U_N_D __ -o 2
`7
`BLK
`228
`
`T
`( HO;T \ I H;ST '
`FEMALE
`FEMALE
`089
`0825
`
`-
`
`r CONNEdroR \
`IN8ATIERY
`COMPARTMENT
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1002
`
`Page 18
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`July 13, 1993
`
`Sheet 18 of 18
`
`5,228,077
`
`FIG. 23
`
`0
`
`~300
`
`302
`
`402
`
`318
`
`FIG. 24
`
`~
`
`400
`
`FIG. 25
`
`0
`
`500~
`
`VBI DECODER
`
`,,
`
`'"
`/ /
`
`~·
`
`/
`
`FIG. 26
`
`606
`
`608
`
`[g8J
`
`512
`
`:9]
`
`!;I
`
`1;11515EI
`
`!;I
`
`!;I
`QQI;II;I
`!;I
`
`~~r' 'UI ~·
`
`0 DODD D 0
`DO BSD
`D
`DO
`D
`
`'---602
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1002
`
`Page 19
`
`

`
`1
`
`REMOTELY UPGRADABLE UNIVERSAL
`REMOTE CONTROL
`
`5,228,077
`
`2
`terminal means coupled to a CPU for supplying code
`data from outside the remote control through the termi(cid:173)
`nal means and the CPU to a memory of the remote
`control.
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.
`07/127,999 filed on Dec. 2, 1987 for: UNIVERSAL
`REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE, now issued to U.S.
`Pat. No. 4,959,810 on Sep. 25, 1990.
`
`5
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`According to the present invention there is provided
`a universal remote control system including a universal
`remote control comprising an input including a set of
`10 keys or pushbuttons for inputting commands into the
`remote control, infrared signal output circuitry for sup(cid:173)
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`plying an infrared signal to a controlled device includ-
`ing IR lamp driver circuitry, a central processing unit
`1. Field of the Invention
`(CPU) coupled to the input and to the signal output ·
`The present invention relates to a universal remote
`control system including a remote control of the type 15 circuitry, a single, non-volatile read-write memory cou-
`pled to the CPU and data coupling circuitry including
`which is hand held and which can be coupled via coded
`infrared signals with a remote control receiver built into
`terminal structure comprising a receiving port coupled
`a television or other remotely controlled electrical ap-
`to the CPU for enabling code data for creating appro-
`paratus to turn on the apparatus, such as the television,
`priate IR lamp driver instructions for causing the infra-
`at a distance, to adjust the volume, tone and brightness, 20 red signal output circuitry to emit infrared signals
`which will cause specific functions to occur in a specific
`to change channels, and to turn the television off and a
`data transmission system for inputting data to the re-
`controlled device, for operating a variety of devices to
`mote control.
`be controlled, to be supplied from outside the remote
`2. Description of the related art including information
`control through the receiving port of the terminal struc-
`25 ture directly to the CPU for direct entry to the memory
`disclosed under 37 CFR Sections 1.97-1.99
`Heretofore it has been proposed to provide a recon-
`to enable the remote control to control various devices
`figurable remote control device and programmable
`to be controlled upon the inputting of commands to the
`functions for such a remote control device which will
`keys of the input. The universal remote control system
`enable one to learn, store and retransmit infrared codes
`further includes a data transmission system including
`that are emitted from the controller for a remotely 30 coupling circuitry for coupling the terminal structure to
`controlled apparatus, such as a television.
`a computer directly, through a modem to a telephone
`For example, in the Welles 11 U.S. Pat. No. 4,623,887
`and the Ehlers u.s. Pat. No. 4,626,848, there is dis-
`line, or through a television set to a television signal
`closed a reconfigurable remote control device which
`picked up by the television set, the coupling circuitry
`has the ability to learn, store and repeat remote control 35 including a cable, a first connector for connection to the
`terminal structure at one end of the cable, and an inter-
`codes from any other infrared transmitter. Such a
`face connector at the other end of the cable for connect-
`reconfigurable remote control transmitter device in-
`ing directly. to a computer, or through a mod~~ and a
`eludes an infrared receiver, a microprocessor, a non-
`tel~phone ~me to a _compute~, . or t? a teleVIsion set
`volatile random access memory, a scratch pad random
`access memory, and an infrared transmitter.
`40 which receives data m a teleVISion s1gnal from a com-
`According to the teachings of the Ehlers patent, the
`puter.
`infrared signals received by the remote control device
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`are in bursts of pulses and the device counts the number
`FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the universal
`of pulses in each burst as well as the time duration of
`each pause in a transmission between bursts.
`45 remote control device constructed according to the
`The Evans et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,200 which issued
`teachings of the present invention.
`on Apr. 25, 1989 on application Ser. No. 66,833 filed on
`FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the control
`Jun. 25, 1987, teaches a reconfigurable remote control
`device shown in FIG. 1.
`transmitter that includes a learn mode and a run mode
`FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view
`and is similar to the remote control system disclosed in so through two of the push buttons of the control device
`the Ehlers patent.
`shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
`Evans et al. does not teach or suggest the provision in
`FIG. 4 is a fragmentary corner view of a push button
`a universal remote control of data coupling means in-
`containing panel and a base panel.
`eluding terminal means (such as serial ports) coupled to
`FIG. 5 is a fragmentary corner view similar to FIG.
`a CPU for enabling code data to be supplied from out- 55 4 as the panels are brought together and shows one of
`side the remote control through the terminal means and
`the push buttons cut away from the push button con-
`CPU to a memory of the remote control.
`taining panel.
`The Imoto U.S. Pat. No. 4,771,283 teaches a system
`FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the assem-
`bly 15 formed by bringing the push button containing
`for the collecting of operating codes from various re-
`mote control transmitters by inputting the code data 60 panel into engagement with the base panel.
`therefrom via infrared code signals to an infrared re-
`FIG. 7 is a plan view of the circuit board assembly
`ceiving diode at an input of the system, deciphering
`mounted inside the control device viewing the control
`those code signals, storing them in a RAM and then
`device from the back side thereof with a back cover
`upon operation of keys, supplying outputs via one of
`panel removed.
`several cables extending from outputs of the system to 65
`FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the operating circuitry in
`devices to be. controlled.
`the control device.
`Imoto does not teach means for outputting infrared
`FIGS. 9A .& 9B are a detailed schematic circuit dia-
`gram of the operating circuitry shown in FIG. 8.
`code signals nor does Imoto teach in a remote control,
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1002
`
`Page 20
`
`

`
`5,228,077
`
`VCR I
`VCR2
`Rec
`Rew
`
`I
`4
`7
`
`DO
`A
`B
`
`Cable
`CD
`TV.VCR
`Reverse
`
`2
`5
`8
`0
`
`c
`D
`
`TV
`DOl
`Stop
`Play
`
`3
`6
`9
`Enter
`Recall
`
`E
`F
`
`CHUp
`CHOn
`
`G
`H
`
`Power
`D02
`Pause
`Fast Fwd
`Mute
`Vol Up
`VolDn
`
`3
`4
`FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the connection
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`of a programming connector over the central process(cid:173)
`EMBODIMENT
`ing unit of the operating circuitry in the control device,
`Referring now to FIG. 1 in greater detail, there is
`the programming connector being connected to ami-
`croprocessor, being operable to disable the central pro- 5 illustrated therein a universal remote control device 10
`cessing unit, and being used to program the random
`constructed according to the teachings of the present
`access memory (RAM) of the operating circuitry.
`invention.
`FIGS. 11, 11a to 11i are graphical representations of
`As shown, the device 10 includes a housing 11 includ-
`ing an upper housing member 12 having a base panel14,
`several modulation schemes which are used in infrared
`10 and a lower housing member 16. An overlay face panel
`remote control transmitters.
`FIG. 12A is a flow chart of a first part of a method for
`18 is positioned over the base panel 14.
`capturing an IR code and FIG. 12B is a graph of the
`The two panels 14 and 18 have openings 22 and 24
`envelope of the code.
`(FIG. 2) therethrough for receiving elastomeric push-
`FIG. 13A is a flow chart of a second part of a method
`buttons 25, all of which extend from and are fixed to or
`for capturing an IR code; FIG. 13B is a waveform of 15 integral with an elastomeric body panel26 as shown in
`theIR bit stream and filtered bit stream; and FIG. 13C
`FIG. 2.
`is a graph of the waveform of a filtered repetition of a
`The pushbuttons 25 are arranged in rows and col-
`umns and are identified as follows on the overlay face
`filtered bit stream.
`FIG. 14 is a flow chart of the method used for gener- 20 panel 18:
`ating an infrared code.
`FIG. 15 is a front plan view of the control device
`shown in FIG. 1 and shows the various pushbuttons of
`the device.
`FIG. 16 is a flow chart of the search and set proce- 2S
`dure followed in using the control device of the present
`invention.
`FIG. 17 is a flow chart of a direct-entry/quick-set
`procedure followed in using the remote control device.
`FIG. 18A is a flow chart of the procedure followed in 30
`setting a "DO" command and FIG. 18B is a flow chart
`of the method for executing a "DO" command.
`FIG. 19A is a flow chart of the method used to iden-
`This arrangement is shown in FIG. 15 and the man(cid:173)
`tify what type of unit the remote control device is set
`for and FIG. 19B is a table of the identifying blink code. 35 ner in which these pushbuttons 25 are utilized in operat-
`ing the control device 10 will be described in greater
`FIG. 20 is a fragmentary perspective view with por-
`tions broken away of a connector with conversion cir-
`detail in connection with the description of FIGS.
`cuitry therein and a special battery case cover for the
`15-19B.
`control device by which new data can be inputed into
`At a top or forward end 28 of the device 10, there is
`the RAM of the operating circuitry of the control de- 40 provided an opening 30 for three light emitting diodes,
`vice.
`LED 1, LED 2 and LED 3. The opening 30 is covered
`FIG. 21 is a schematic circuit diagram of part of the
`by an infrared-transport lens 31. Also, provided on a top
`conversion circuitry in the connector shown in FIG. 20.
`surface 32 of the upper housing member 12 of the con-
`tro~ de~ice 10 ~ a .light emitting diode, LED 4, .by
`FIG. 22 is a schematic circuit diagram of another part
`of the conversion circuitry in the connector shown in 45 which mformat1on, m the form of red and green blink
`FIG. 20.
`codes, is communicated to the user of the device 10.
`FIG. 23 is a schematic block diagram of the data
`FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the components of the
`device 10. As s~own, the device 10.~cludes the overlay
`transmission system of the universal remote control
`face panel18 .w1th pushbutton-rece1~mg, generally r~t-
`system of the present invention and shows the manner
`in which data is input via a telephone line to the remote 50 angular opemngs ~2, the uppe~ housmg member 12 With
`control
`base panel 14 havmg a plurality of generally rectangu-
`lar, pushbutton r~iving openings 24, the ~lastomeric
`FIG.' 24 is a block schematic diagram of a modified
`imil
`data t
`· ·
`t
`t th data tr
`. .
`body panel 26 havmg pushbuttons 25 extendmg from an
`upper surface 34 thereof, a printed circuit board 36
`ranshmiSSI~n sFylsGem23s fi ~ o
`.e da ~miSSilon
`t_a VIa a ~ e- ss having conductive switches 38 on an upper surface 40
`·
`or mputt.mg
`system ~ own m
`phone line t? the remote contr~l us~g a pickup coil.
`thereof and operating circuitry 42 (FIG. 1) mounted on
`FIG: 25 lS a block schem~tl~ diagram of ~oth~r
`the underside 43 thereof, the lower housing member 16,
`~mbodiment ~fa data .tr~smiSSJOn system which uti-
`a cover 44 for a battery compartment 45 (FIG. 1) for
`1izes ~~e vertical blanking m~eX:Val on a raster across a
`receiving batteries 46 (FIG. 10) for the circuitry 42 of
`teleVISIOn screen for tr~smJttmg .da~ to the remote 60 the control device 10, and the infrared-transport lens 31.
`It will be noted that the base panel 14 of the upper
`control and sh~ws a vert1~ bl~g mterval ~ecoder
`and a cable With a three-pm Jack pluggable mto the
`housing member 12 has pushbutton openings 24 com-
`remote control for transmitting data to the remote con-
`pletely across each one of fourteen (14) rows across and
`trol.
`four (4) columns down. However, not all of these open-
`FIG. 26 is a block schematic diagram of a direct 65 ings or holes 24 have pushbuttons 25 extending there-
`connection from a digital telephone line to the remote
`through, as noted by the lesser number of pushbutton-
`control having a direct access arrangement therein for
`receiving openings 22, in the overlay face panel 18.
`inputting data to the remote control.
`Likewise, the body panel26 initially has pushbuttons 25
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1002
`
`Page 21
`
`

`
`5,228,077
`
`6
`5
`latch 58, the random access memory 54 and LED 1,
`arranged completely across the upper surface 34 in
`LED 2, LED 3 and LED 4.
`fourteen (14) rows across and fourteen (14) columns
`The operating circuitry also includes several subcir-
`down.
`cuits. One of those subcircuits 62 (FIG. 9B) includes the
`The printed circuit board 36 has conductive switches
`38 aligned with each one of the push buttons 25 so that S keyboard 61 5 having pushbuttons 25, each of which is
`more switches 38 are provided than may be necessary
`connected to a port 63 of the CPU 56 shown in FIG. 9B
`and can be referred to as the keyboard circuit 62. The
`for this particular control device 10.
`The availability of additional pushbutton openings 24
`X's in FIG. 9B indicate the pushbuttons 25 and when
`in the base panel 14 will enable the control device 10 to
`one of those pushbuttons X is pressed, current flows
`be modified as necessary by the addition of further 10 through a resistor in a column line, e.g., when button 25'
`pushbuttons 25 to perform numerous other functions as
`is pressed current flows through resistor 64 in column
`line 138 going to the button or key 25'. That raises the
`called for.
`This mechanical construction of the upper and lower
`voltage on a supply line VCC to the CPU 56 of the
`housing members 12 and 16 and the panels 14 and 18
`microprocessor.
`and circuit board 36 enable the control device 10 to be IS Accordingly, whenever a button 25 is pressed, it will
`increase the voltage on line vee which initiates a
`modified to include additional circuits in the operating
`s"'!~ching prc;x:ess in a wake u~ circuit 70 for "w~g
`circuitry 42 and pushbutton switches 25 for performing
`additional functions, if desired. In this respect, overlay
`up or energtZmg the CPU 56 m the manner descnbed
`face panel 18 is easily replaceable to modify the device
`below.
`. .
`.
`.
`. In ~dltlon to th~ ke~bo:rrd crrcwt 62 an? th~ wakeup
`10 to include more or less pushbuttons 25 and associated 20
`crrc~t 70, the su~rr~u1ts mclude a reset crrcu1t 74, and
`switches 38.
`hb
`f h
`·
`f h
`Tb "
`J" .
`a Wnte protect Cll"CUit 78.
`lin vee
`. al .
`e stmp ICity 0
`Wh
`th
`Ita
`t e constructiOn 0 t e pus uttons
`25, the base panel 14 and the overlay panel 18 is shown
`en
`e vo ge ~:>n
`e
`goes up, a Sign.
`IS
`pass~d through capa~1to~ 102, to ~he base of a trans1st?r
`anel 26
`in FIGS. 3-6. As shown in FIG. 3 the bod
`.
`.
`'
`Y P
`25 104 m the wake up crrcwt 70. This turns on the transls-
`has a pl~al1ty of ra1sed pushbuttons 25 formed thereon.
`tor 104 which in tum turns on transistor 106 This tum-
`Each ratsed rectangular b~tton 25 has a recessed area ?r
`ing on of the transistors 104 and 106 will bring voltage
`on line vee to the full DC voltage of about S! volts.
`hol~ow _48 on the unders1de ~9 of each button 25 m
`which IS mounted a conductiVe pl~nger ?r puck so When the voltage on line vee reaches 5! volts, the
`adapt_ed t? engage one o~ the conductive switches 38 on 30 CPU 56 begins to operate.
`When operating, the CPU 56 establishes a signal on
`the c1rcu1t ?oard 36. W1th the pushbuttons 25 :md the
`~an7l ~6 bemg formed from a sheet of elastomenc mate-
`line ALE 108 which is passed through a resistor 110 and
`nal 1t 1s an easy ~atter t? remove the butto~s 25 that are
`flltered by capacitor 102. Once the ALE signal is estab-
`not neces~ary w1th a SCissors or other cuttmg element,
`lished, it causes a voltage to be generated at the base of
`as shown m FIG. 4.
`35 transistor 104, maintaining transistor 104 turned on,
`.
`.
`Then, the pushbutton body panel 26 IS moved mto
`which in tum maintains transistor 106 turned on thus
`engagement with the base p~el 14, as shown in FIG. 5,
`enabling the CPU 56 to continue to nm. The CPU 56
`to form the assembly shown m FIG. 6.
`can tum itself off by executing a HALT instruction
`After t~e pushbutton body panel 26 and t~e base
`which causes the ALE signal to cease, thus turning off
`panel portion 14 have been assembled as shown m FIG. 40 transistors 104 and 106 and removing power via line
`6, the overlay face panel 18 is mounted on top of the
`VCC to the CPU 56.
`It is to be noted that the wake up circuit 70 can be
`base pan7l 14 and the circuit board 36 is mounted within
`the houst?g member 12.
`activated by depression of a key or button 25 or by an
`.
`.
`.
`Referrmg now to FIG. 7, there IS illustrated therem
`input signal at serial port 3. coupled to an input port 112
`the operating circuitry 42 of the control device 10 45 of the CPU 56.
`which includes batteries 46 (FIG. 10) mounted in the
`The circuit elements described above form the
`compartment 45 for providing power for the circuitry
`wakeup circuit 70 for activating the operating circuitry
`42 and a lithium battery 52, which backs up a static
`42 of the device 10. This circuit uses substrate static-
`protection diodes 114 in a CMOS chip ~upled to the
`RAM 54. A central processing unit (CPU) 56, is cou-
`pled through a latch 58 to the RAM 54. Three LEDs, so keyboard 61. With this arrangement, source current is
`LED 1, LED 2, and LED 3 are coupled to the circuitry
`supplied to transmitter 104 via line VCC when a key or
`42 for communication with the apparatus to be con-
`pushbutton 25 is depressed.
`trolled. All elements of the circuitry 42 are mounted on
`The RAM 54 is connected to the lithium battery 52
`the circuit board 36 mounted in the upper housing mem-
`and, when the device 10 is not being used, draws about
`ber 12. A further LED, LED 4 is coupled to CPU 56 for ss 20 nanoamps from the battery 52, which gives the de-
`vice 10 a shelf life between S and 10 years. A backup
`communication with the user of the device 10 as will be
`described in greater detail below.
`capacitor 116 is coupled to the RAM 54 and has (at 20
`A block schematic circuit diagram of the operating
`nanoamps) a discharge time of about 10 minutes, pro-
`viding ample time to change (if necessary) the battery
`circuitry 42 is shown in FIG. 8 and includes CPU 56,
`the infrared light emitting diodes, LED 1, LED 2, and 60 52 without losing the instructions and data stored in the
`LED 3 coupled to the CPU 56, serial input/output ports
`RAM 54. Capacitor 116 is kept charged by battery 46
`60 of CPU 56, the RAM 54 coupled to CPU 56 and
`through diode 117 when the device 10 is operating and,
`backed up by lithium battery 52 and a 4X 14 keyboard
`at other times, by battery 52 through diode 118.
`61 coupled to CPU 56. The four AAA batteries 46 are
`After the CPU 56 has been powered up, or awakened,
`65 the CPU 56 makes a scan of row lines 121-128 to the
`also shown.
`FIGS. 9A and 9B are a detailed schematic circuit
`keyboard 61 by sequentially forcing each line 121-128
`diagram of the operating circuitry 42. The operating
`low and then polling the other lines to fmd out which
`circuit 42 includes the central processing unit 56, the
`button 25, such as button 25', has been pressed. As a
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1002
`
`Page 22
`
`

`
`5,228,077
`
`8
`7
`When the write enable line 176 goes low, unless the
`result of pushbutton 25' being pressed, a low impressed
`transistor 171 is turned on by virtue of the battery volt-
`upon row line 121 will cause a low on column line 128
`age being more than 4.3 volts, a line 178 going into the
`and that will result in the row line 128 being low.
`RAM 54 at the collector 180 of the transistor 171
`The CPU 56 first sets row line 121 low and then
`begins scanning, starting with the row line 122, for 5 (which is the "write enable" for the RAM 54), is pre-
`another row line having a low voltage thereon and by
`vented from going low, maintaining the RAM "Write
`fmding the row line with the low voltage, in the above
`Protected". This condition also is created when the
`example, row line 128, the CPU 56 knows that button
`battery 48 is low. The "write enable" line 176 also func-
`25' at the intersection of row line ·128 and column line
`tions as a low battery detector because, during execu-
`138 has been depressed.
`10 tion of the program, a check is made to see whether
`If the CPU 56 had not found a low on ·another row
`writing to the RAM 54 is enabled. If it is not, this shows
`line, such as row line 128, after having set line row 121
`that the batteries are weak and a signal is sent to the user
`low, line 121 is returned to its previous value and row
`by flashing the red LED, of L