(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2003/0193426 A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Oct. 16, 2003
`Vidal
`
`US 20030193426A1
`
`(54) APPARATUS AND METHOD TO FACILITATE
`UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL
`
`(76) Inventor: Alberto Vidal, Los Gatos, CA (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`PARK, VAUGHAN & FLEMING LLP
`508 SECOND STREET
`SUITE 201
`DAVIS, CA 95616 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/122,056
`
`(22) Filed;
`
`Apt; 12, 2002
`
`Publication Classi?cation
`
`(51) Int. Cl.7 ......................... .. H04L 17/02; G08C 19/12
`(52) US. Cl. ............................................................ .. 341/176
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`One embodiment of the present invention provides a uni
`versal remote control, Which includes a display screen and
`a user input mechanism. The universal remote control also
`includes a processing unit that is con?gured to display
`information on the display screen and to accept selection
`data from the user input mechanism. The universal remote
`control additionally includes a Wireless communication
`mechanism that is con?gured to provide communications
`betWeen the processing unit and an appliance or computer
`program running on a computer system. The appliance
`provides information to be displayed on the display screen,
`and information entered through the user input mechanism
`is communicated to the appliance. Since the appliance
`provides the information to be displayed on the display
`screen and also interprets the entries on the input mecha
`nism, the universal remote control needs no special knowl
`edge about the appliance.
`
`TELEVISION
`104
`
`VIDEO TAPE
`PLAYER 106
`
`VIDEO DISK
`PLAYER 10s
`
`STEREO “0
`
`HOME
`DEVICE
`CONTROL
`“I12
`
`REMOTE
`CONTROL ,2,’
`102
`
`COMPUTER SYSTEM 114
`MP3 PLAYER 116
`
`DVD PLAYER 11s
`
`Page 1 of 9
`
`Unified Patents Exhibit 1004
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 16, 2003 Sheet 1 0f 3
`
`US 2003/0193426 A1
`
`TELEVISION
`104
`
`VIDEO TAPE
`PLAYER 106
`
`vIDEO DISK
`PLAYER 108
`
`STEREO “0
`
`HOME
`DEVICE
`CONTROL
`112
`
`REMOTE
`CONTROL 4’
`102
`
`COMPUTER SYSTEM 114
`MP3 PLAYER 116
`
`DVD PLAYER 11s
`
`TELEvIsION
`
`VIDEO TAPE PLAYER
`
`VIDEO DISK PLAYER
`
`STEREO
`
`REMOTE
`CONTROL -_-
`
`102
`
`HOME CONTROLs
`
`COMPUTER MP3 PLAYER
`
`COMPUTER DVD PLAYER
`
`202
`
`204
`
`206
`
`208
`
`21o
`
`212
`
`214
`
`K CONFIGURATION / 216
`
`J
`
`FIG. 2
`
`Page 2 of 9
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 16, 2003 Sheet 2 0f 3
`
`US 2003/0193426 A1
`
`ff VIDEO TAPE PLAYER \\ 302
`<< UH D El » 304
`
`REMOTE
`CONTROL __
`
`THE MECHANICAL MAN
`
`102
`
`35 OF 128 MINUTES
`
`RECORD PAGE
`
`306
`
`30s
`
`310
`
`\ MAIN MENU 1 s12
`
`PROCESSOR 404
`
`PROCESSOR 414
`
`MEMORY 406
`
`PERsIsTENT STORAGE 416
`
`COMMUNICATION MODULE _______Z"_ COMMUNICATION MODULE
`40s
`41s
`
`DISPLAY MODULE 410
`
`APPL'ANCE 402
`
`INPUT MODULE 412
`
`REMOTE CONTROL 102
`
`FIG. 4
`
`Page 3 of 9
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 16, 2003 Sheet 3 0f 3
`
`US 2003/0193426 A1
`
`BROADCAST DISCOVERY
`COMMAND ON LINK 502
`
`ACCEPT CONTROL ENTRY FROM
`USER 702
`
`RECEIVE RESPONSE FROM
`APPL|ANCE 504
`
`'
`
`SEND CONTROL REQUEST TO '
`APPLIANCE 704
`
`LIsT APPLIANCE ON REMOTE 506
`
`RECEIVE REPLYTSGROM APPLIANCE
`
`FIG. 5
`
`DISPLAY INFORMATION ON
`REMOTE 708
`
`(
`
`STOP )
`
`FIG. 7
`
`ACCEPT APPLIANCE ENTRY FROM
`USER 602
`
`L
`SEND REQUEST TO APPLIANCE 604 I
`
`RECEIVE MENU FROM APPLIANCE]
`606
`
`DISPLAY MENU ON REMOTE 608 I
`
`FIG. 6
`
`Page 4 of 9
`
`

`
`US 2003/0193426 A1
`
`Oct. 16, 2003
`
`APPARATUS AND METHOD TO FACILITATE
`UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0002] The present invention relates to remote controls.
`More speci?cally, the present invention relates to an appa
`ratus and a method to facilitate a just-in-time universal
`remote control for controlling multiple appliances.
`[0003] 2. Related Art
`[0004] Modern appliances typically include a remote con
`trol that alloWs the user to control the functions of the
`appliance Without having to go to the appliance. Remote
`controls for complex appliances such as home stereo sys
`tems or video disk players have myriad buttons and sWitches
`to control the many functions of the appliance. While all of
`these buttons and sWitches are necessary for complete
`control of the appliance, users typically use only a small
`subset of the total controls on the remote control. The
`controls that are not normally used clutter the remote control
`and can cause confusion to the user When trying to locate a
`seldom-used feature.
`
`[0005] Users are also confronted With multiple remote
`controls, one for each remotely controllable appliance in the
`home, such as a television, a video tape player, a video disk
`player, a stereo system, and a home device control system.
`Remote controls from different manufacturers can have
`Widely different user interfaces, Which can also lead to user
`confusion even after selecting the proper remote control
`device.
`
`[0006] Manufacturers have created so-called universal
`remote controls, Which can be trained to mimic several
`remote controls, and can then control each appliance for
`Which they have been trained. While universal remote
`controls attempt to address the problem of multiple remote
`controls, these devices are even more complex to operate,
`further confusing the user. Additionally, a universal remote
`control may not be able to duplicate every command
`sequence designed into a remote control designed for the
`appliance, and for future appliances.
`
`[0007] Hence, users must spend time learning a neW
`remote control or programming an existing universal remote
`control each time they purchase a neW remotely controllable
`appliance, Which detracts from the enjoyment of using the
`appliance after it is ?rst purchased.
`
`[0008] What is needed is an apparatus and a method to
`provide remote control over multiple appliances Without the
`dif?culties described above.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`[0009] One embodiment of the present invention provides
`a universal remote control, Which includes a display screen
`and a user input mechanism. The universal remote control
`also includes a processing unit that is con?gured to display
`information on the display screen and to accept selection
`data from the user input mechanism. The universal remote
`control additionally includes a Wireless communication
`mechanism that is con?gured to provide communications
`betWeen the processing unit and an appliance. The appliance
`provides information to be displayed on the display screen,
`
`and information entered through the user input mechanism
`is communicated to the appliance. Since the appliance
`provides the information to be displayed on the display
`screen and also forWards the entries on the input mechanism,
`the universal remote control needs no special knoWledge
`about the appliance.
`
`[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the
`universal remote control includes a touch screen, Which
`functions as the display screen and the user input mecha
`nism.
`
`[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the
`universal remote control includes a discovery mechanism
`that is con?gured to manually discover the appliance
`through an entry on the user input mechanism.
`
`[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the
`universal remote control includes a discovery mechanism
`that is con?gured to automatically discover the appliance
`through the Wireless communication mechanism.
`
`[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the
`discovery mechanism includes a BluetoothTM discovery
`mechanism. BluetoothTM is a trademark oWned by Bluetooth
`SIG, Inc.
`
`[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the
`Wireless communication mechanism is con?gured to receive
`information to be displayed on the display screen in a
`markup language.
`
`[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the
`markup language includes extensible markup language
`(XML) or hypertext transport protocol (HTTP).
`
`[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, a set
`of standard graphical representations of appliance-control
`mechanisms is stored in the remote control to choose for
`display to the user by the appliance.
`
`[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the set
`of graphical representations of appliance-control mecha
`nisms is stored in the appliance and can be sent over the
`Wireless communications link to the remote control for
`display to the user.
`
`[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, the
`appliance includes a plurality of appliances.
`
`[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, the
`plurality of appliances includes one or more of a television,
`a video tape player, a video disk player, a stereo, a home
`control system, and a computer system With remotely con
`trollable softWare (for example: a DVD player, a CD player,
`an MP3 player, or slideshoW presentation softWare). Note
`that this application is not restricted to only electronic
`appliances, but could also be used to control programs and
`functions that run on a computer system. For example, the
`remote control can be used to control DVD, CD or MP3
`player softWare running on a computer.
`
`[0020] One embodiment of the present invention provides
`a system that facilitates con?guring a remote control to
`operate an appliance. The system operates by sending a
`request for a speci?cation of a user interface from the remote
`control to the appliance. In response to the request, the
`system receives the speci?cation for the user interface from
`
`Page 5 of 9
`
`

`
`US 2003/0193426 Al
`
`Oct. 16, 2003
`
`the appliance and con?gures the remote control to imple
`ment the user interface so that a user can operate the
`appliance.
`
`[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, the
`user can navigate through a number of user interfaces by
`consecutive uses of the system.
`
`[0022] In one embodiment of the present invention, the
`user can sWitch betWeen appliances using a list of currently
`active appliances maintained by the remote control.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
`
`[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates remote control 102 controlling
`multiple devices in accordance With an embodiment of the
`present invention.
`
`[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates an appliance selection page on
`remote control 102 in accordance With an embodiment of the
`present invention.
`
`[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates an appliance control page on
`remote control 102 in accordance With an embodiment of the
`present invention.
`
`[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates remote control 102 in accordance
`With an embodiment of the present invention.
`
`[0027] FIG. 5 is a ?oWchart illustrating the process of
`discovering available appliances in accordance With an
`embodiment of the present invention.
`
`[0028] FIG. 6 is a ?oWchart illustrating the process of
`selecting and receiving an appliance menu in accordance
`With an embodiment of the present invention.
`
`[0029] FIG. 7 is a ?oWchart illustrating the process of
`controlling an appliance in accordance With an embodiment
`of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0030] The folloWing description is presented to enable
`any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention,
`and is provided in the context of a particular application and
`its requirements. Various modi?cations to the disclosed
`embodiments Will be readily apparent to those skilled in the
`art, and the general principles de?ned herein may be applied
`to other embodiments and applications Without departing
`from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the
`present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodi
`ments shoWn, but is to be accorded the Widest scope
`consistent With the principles and features disclosed herein.
`
`[0031] The data structures and code described in this
`detailed description are typically stored on a computer
`readable storage medium, Which may be any device or
`medium that can store code and/or data for use by a
`computer system. This includes, but is not limited to,
`magnetic and optical storage devices such as disk drives,
`magnetic tape, CDs (compact discs) and DVDs (digital
`versatile discs or digital video discs), and computer instruc
`tion signals embodied in a transmission medium (With or
`Without a carrier Wave upon Which the signals are modu
`lated). For example, the transmission medium may include
`a communications netWork, such as the Internet.
`
`[0032] Controlling Multiple Devices
`[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates remote control 102 controlling
`multiple appliances in accordance With an embodiment of
`the present invention. Remote control 102 communicates
`With television 104, video tape player 106, video disk player
`108, stereo 110, home device control 112, and computer
`system 114 across a Wireless communication channel such
`as an infrared channel or a radio frequency (RF) channel.
`
`[0034] Computer system 114 can generally include any
`type of computer system, including, but not limited to, a
`computer system based on a microprocessor, a mainframe
`computer, a digital signal processor, a portable computing
`device, a personal organiZer, a device controller, and a
`computational engine Within an appliance. Computer system
`114 can execute multiple programs, tWo of Which are shoWn:
`MP3 player 116 and DVD player 118.
`[0035] Remote control 102 discovers these appliances
`using either a manual discovery mechanism or an automatic
`discovery mechanism across the Wireless communication
`channel as described beloW in conjunction With FIG. 5. The
`Wireless communication channel can be an infrared channel
`or a radio frequency channel such as a BuetoothTM commu
`nication channel. The appliances discovered by the remote
`control are displayed on the remote control as described
`beloW in conjunction With FIG. 2.
`
`[0036] When a user selects an appliance to control at the
`remote control, the remote control sends a message to the
`appliance requesting a menu description. In response, the
`appliance returns the menu description to the remote control.
`The remote control then displays the menu.
`[0037] Appliance Selection
`[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates an appliance selection page on
`remote control 102 in accordance With an embodiment of the
`present invention. Remote control 102 has discovered tele
`vision 104, video tape player 106, video disk player 108,
`stereo 110, home device control 112, computer MP3 player
`116, and computer DVD player 118. Remote control 102
`displays these devices on a display such as a touch screen.
`For example, remote control 102 displays television on line
`202, video tape player on line 204, video disk player on line
`206, stereo on line 208, home controls on line 210, computer
`MP3 player on line 212, and computer DVD player on line
`214. Additionally, con?guration is shoWn on line 216. Note
`that the individual appliances determine What is displayed
`for that appliance, therefore, the appliance can also display
`an icon such as the manufacturer’s logo, user instructions, or
`an advertising message on remote control 102. This descrip
`tion uses the convention that selectable items on remote
`control 102 are underlined. Any convention understandable
`by the user can be used.
`
`[0039] Selecting con?guration causes the remote control
`to display a con?guration page (not shoWn). This con?gu
`ration page can be used to provide manual discovery as Well
`as to provide setup options such as contrast control for the
`display. Selecting an appliance, for example video tape
`player 106, causes the remote control to request the primary
`menu from video tape player 106. In response to the request,
`the appliance returns a speci?cation for the menu. This
`speci?cation can be encoded in a markup language such as
`extensible markup language (XML) or hypertext transport
`protocol (HTTP)
`
`Page 6 of 9
`
`

`
`US 2003/0193426 A1
`
`Oct. 16, 2003
`
`[0040] Appliance Control
`
`[0041] FIG. 3 illustrates an appliance control page on
`remote control 102 in accordance With an embodiment of the
`present invention. The user selected video tape player 106
`on the appliance selection page. In return, video tape player
`106 returned a speci?cation for its primary menu. Remote
`control 102 then interpreted this speci?cation and displayed
`the primary menu for video tape player 106 as shoWn in
`FIG. 3. Line 302 displays the selected device so the user can
`tell at a glance Which device is selected. Line 304 displays
`the standard symbols for controlling the device. From left to
`right, these symbols are: reWind, pause, play, stop/eject, and
`fast-forWard. A limited number of standard images repre
`senting common appliance control symbols can reside in
`nonvolatile memory on the remote control 102 or a custom
`image representing a symbol can be doWnloaded from video
`tape player 106. Selecting one of these symbols causes
`remote control 102 to send a message to video tape player
`106 requesting the selected function.
`
`[0042] Line 306 displays the title of the current movie
`being played, While line 308 displays the progress Within the
`movie. Lesser-used functions of video tape player 106, such
`as recording functions are on a separate menu page. Line
`310 can be used to select the record page. When the record
`page is selected, remote control 102 sends a message to
`video tape player 106 requesting the record page. Video tape
`player 106 responds With the speci?cation of the record
`page, Which is displayed as described above for the main
`appliance page. Line 312 displays main menu and can be
`used to return to the appliance selection page.
`
`[0043] Remote Control 102
`
`[0044] FIG. 4 illustrates remote control 102 in accordance
`With an embodiment of the present invention. Remote con
`trol 102 includes processor 404, memory 406, communica
`tion module 408, display module 410, and input module 412.
`Remote control 102 communicates With appliance 402.
`Appliance 402 includes processor 414, persistent storage
`416, and communication module 418.
`
`[0045] Processor 404 provides computer processing for
`remote control 102. Processor 404 can generally include any
`type of processor, including, but not limited to, a micropro
`cessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor, a per
`sonal organiZer, a device controller, and a computational
`engine Within an appliance.
`
`[0046] Memory 406 includes both volatile and nonvolatile
`storage. Non-volatile storage can include any type of
`memory that can hold data When remote control 102 is
`poWered doWn. This includes, but is not limited to, magnetic
`storage, ?ash memory, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, and
`battery-backed-up RAM. Memory 406 includes program
`instructions for processor 404 and persistent storage for
`symbols and the like.
`
`[0047] Communication module 408 provides Wireless
`communications With the various appliances, for example
`appliance 402. Communication module 408 can generally
`include any type of Wireless communication channel capable
`of coupling together enabled devices. This Wireless com
`munication channel can include an infrared communication
`link or a RF link such as a BluetoothTM RF link but is not
`limited to these.
`
`[0048] Display module 410 displays information to a user
`of remote control 102. The information can be displayed on
`an appropriate display device such as a liquid crystal display
`(LCD) of a touch screen. Input module 412 accepts inputs
`from a user of remote control 102 and supplies these inputs
`to processor 404. The user can supply inputs through an
`entry mechanism such as buttons or a touch screen.
`
`[0049] Appliance 402 includes processor 414, persistent
`storage 416, and communication module 418. Processor 414
`can generally include any type of processor, including, but
`not limited to, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor,
`a personal organiZer, a device controller, and a computa
`tional engine Within an appliance. Processor 414 provides
`computing poWer to appliance 402 and includes the capa
`bility to communicate With remote control 102 through
`communication module 418.
`
`[0050] Persistent storage 416 provides storage for display
`speci?cations for remote control 102. These display speci
`?cations can include speci?cations in a markup language
`such as extensible markup language (XML) or hypertext
`transport protocol (HTTP).
`[0051] Communication module 418 provides Wireless
`communications With remote control 102. Communication
`module 418 can generally include any type of Wireless
`communication channel capable of coupling together
`enabled devices.
`
`[0052] When remote control 102 is ?rst poWered, and
`periodically thereafter, processor 404 causes communication
`module 408 to broadcast a discovery command. Appliances,
`such as appliance 402, that receive this discovery command
`respond to the discovery command to inform remote control
`of their existence and possibly to send unique display
`information such as the manufacturer’s logo. Upon receiv
`ing these responses, remote control 102 displays an entry on
`the appliance selection page. If more appliances respond
`than can ?t on a single page, remote control 102 can provide
`multiple appliance selection pages including navigation
`icons on the appliance selection pages for sWitching betWeen
`pages.
`
`[0053] After selecting an appliance from the appliance
`selection page, remote control 102 communicates With the
`appliance, for example appliance 402, to doWnload menu
`speci?cations to remote control 102 and to provide
`responses from remote control 102 to appliance 402.
`[0054] Appliance Discovery
`[0055] FIG. 5 is a ?oWchart illustrating the process of
`discovering available appliances in accordance With an
`embodiment of the present invention. The system starts
`When remote control 102 broadcasts a discovery command
`from communication module 408 (step 502). Next, remote
`control 102 receives a response from one or more appliances
`at communication module 408 (step 504). Finally, remote
`control 102 displays the device name, as speci?ed by the
`appliance, on the appliance selection page (step 506). This
`process can be repeated until no more appliances respond to
`the discovery command. Appliances previously discovered
`do not need to be rediscovered at a later use of the remote
`control. The remote control remembers previously discov
`ered appliances and can engage in communication as soon as
`the appliance comes Within range or becomes available. If a
`previously discovered appliance is not currently Within
`range or is unavailable, the name of the appliance may be
`grayed out or temporarily removed from the appliance list.
`
`Page 7 of 9
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`

`
`US 2003/0193426 A1
`
`Oct. 16, 2003
`
`An appliance list management menu is provided by the
`remote control to be able to delete no longer used appliances
`from the main menu as Well as to change other remote
`control settings.
`[0056] Menu Display
`[0057] FIG. 6 is a ?oWchart illustrating the process of
`selecting and receiving an appliance menu in accordance
`With an embodiment of the present invention. The system
`starts When input module 412 of remote control 102 receives
`an appliance entry from a user (step 602). The user makes
`this entry by pressing a button or touching a touch screen.
`Next, communication module 408 transmits a request to
`communication module 418 in appliance 402 requesting a
`menu speci?cation (step 604). In response, appliance 402
`returns a menu speci?cation coded in a markup language
`such as XML or HTTP (step 606). Finally, display module
`410 displays the menu on remote control 102 (step 608).
`Note that icons presented on remote control 102 can be
`stored in memory 406 or can be received by communication
`module 408 from appliance 402.
`[0058] Controlling an Appliance
`[0059] FIG. 7 is a ?oWchart illustrating the process of
`controlling an appliance in accordance With an embodiment
`of the present invention. The system starts When input
`module 412 accepts a control entry from a user (step 702).
`This control entry can be entered by pressing a button or
`touching a touch screen. Next, communication module 408
`sends a control request to appliance 402 (step 704). In
`response, appliance 402 performs the requested action and
`optionally sends a reply to remote control 102. Communi
`cation module 408 receives the reply from appliance 402
`(step 706). Finally, display module 410 displays updated
`information on remote control 102 (step 708). The updated
`information can include a secondary menu or can be infor
`mation related to the current function, for example, the title
`of a movie being played and the playing time of the movie.
`[0060] The foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the
`present invention have been presented for purposes of
`illustration and description only. They are not intended to be
`exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the forms
`disclosed. Accordingly, many modi?cations and variations
`Will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. Addition
`ally, the above disclosure is not intended to limit the present
`invention. The scope of the present invention is de?ned by
`the appended claims.
`
`What Is claimed Is:
`1. A universal remote control, comprising:
`
`a display screen,
`
`a user input mechanism
`
`a processing unit con?gured to display information on the
`display screen and to accept selection data from the
`user input mechanism; and
`
`a Wireless communication mechanism con?gured to pro
`vide communications betWeen the processing unit and
`an appliance;
`
`Wherein the processing unit is con?gured to accept dis
`play information from the appliance for display on the
`display screen; and
`
`Wherein the processing unit is further con?gured to accept
`information entered through the user input mechanism
`for communication to the appliance.
`2. The universal remote control of claim 1, further com
`prising a touch screen, Wherein the touch screen includes the
`display screen and the user input mechanism.
`3. The universal remote control of claim 1, further com
`prising a discovery mechanism that is con?gured to discover
`the appliance through an entry on the user input mechanism.
`4. The universal remote control of claim 1, further com
`prising a discovery mechanism that is con?gured to discover
`the appliance through the Wireless communication mecha
`nism.
`5. The universal remote control of claim 4, Wherein the
`discovery mechanism includes a BluetoothTM discovery
`mechanism.
`6. The universal remote control of claim 1, Wherein the
`Wireless communication mechanism includes a receiving
`mechanism Within the universal remote control that is con
`?gured to receive information to be displayed on the display
`screen in a markup language.
`7. The universal remote control of claim 6, Wherein the
`markup language includes extensible markup language
`(XML) or hypertext transport protocol (HTTP).
`8. The universal remote control of claim 1, Wherein a set
`of standard graphical representations of appliance-control
`mechanisms is stored in the universal remote control to
`choose for display to a user by the appliance.
`9. The universal remote control of claim 8, Wherein the set
`of standard graphical representations of appliance-control
`mechanisms is stored in the appliance and can be sent over
`a Wireless communications link to the universal remote
`control for display to the user.
`10. The universal remote control of claim 1, Wherein the
`appliance includes a plurality of appliances.
`11. The universal remote control of claim 10, Wherein the
`plurality of appliances includes one or more of a television,
`a video tape player, a video disk player, a stereo, a home
`control system, and a computer system With remotely con
`trollable softWare.
`12. A method for con?guring a remote control to operate
`an appliance, comprising:
`
`sending a request for a speci?cation of a user interface
`from the remote control to the appliance;
`
`in response to the request, receiving the speci?cation for
`the user interface from the appliance; and
`
`con?guring the remote control to implement the user
`interface to operate the appliance.
`13. The method of claim 12, Wherein a user can navigate
`through a number of user interfaces by consecutive uses of
`the remote control.
`14. The method of claim 12, Wherein a user can sWitch
`betWeen appliances using a list of currently active appli
`ances maintained by the remote control.
`15. The method of claim 12, further comprising sending
`the request for the speci?cation of the user interface on a
`Wireless communication link.
`16. The method of claim 15, further comprising receiving
`the speci?cation of the user interface on the Wireless com
`munication link.
`17. The method of claim 16, Wherein the Wireless com
`munication link includes a BluetoothTM communication link.
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`US 2003/0193426 A1
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`Oct. 16, 2003
`
`18. The method of claim 12, wherein the speci?cation is
`encoded in a markup language, Wherein the markup lan
`guage includes extensible markup language (XML) or
`hypertext transport protocol (HTTP).
`19. The method of claim 12, further comprising discov
`ering the appliance using a BluetoothTM discovery mecha
`nism.
`20. The method of claim 12, Wherein the appliance
`includes a plurality of appliances.
`21. The method of claim 20, Wherein the plurality of
`appliances includes one or more of a television, a video tape
`player, a video disk player, a stereo, a home control system,
`and individual softWare programs running on a computer
`system.
`22. A computer-readable storage medium storing instruc
`tions that When executed by a computer cause the computer
`to perform a method for con?guring a remote control to
`operate an appliance, the method comprising:
`
`sending a request for a speci?cation of a user interface
`from the remote control to the appliance;
`
`in response to the request, receiving the speci?cation for
`the user interface from the appliance; and
`
`con?guring the remote control to implement the user
`interface to operate the appliance.
`
`23. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 22,
`the method further comprising sending the request for the
`speci?cation of the user interface on a Wireless communi
`cation link.
`24. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 23,
`the method further comprising receiving the speci?cation of
`the user interface on the Wireless communication link.
`25. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 24,
`Wherein the Wireless communication link includes a Blue
`toothTM communication link.
`26. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 22,
`Wherein the speci?cation is encoded in a markup language,
`Wherein the markup language includes extensible markup
`language (XML) or hypertext transport protocol (HTTP).
`27. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 22,
`the method further comprising discovering the appliance
`using a BluetoothTM discovery mechanism.
`28. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 22,
`Wherein the appliance includes a plurality of appliances.
`29. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 28,
`Wherein the plurality of appliances includes one or more of
`a television, a video tape player, a video disk player, a stereo,
`and a home control system.
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