(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2001/0033244 A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Oct. 25, 2001
`Harris et al.
`
`US 20010033244A1
`
`(54) REMOTE CONTROL MULTIMEDIA
`CONTENT LISTING SYSTEM
`
`(52) us. Cl. .................. .. 341/176; 340/825.69; 359/148;
`348/735; 725/43
`
`(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.:
`
`09/804,624
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Mar. 12, 2001
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(63) Non-provisional of provisional application No.
`60/189,487, ?led on Mar. 15, 2000.
`
`Publication Classi?cation
`
`(51) Int. Cl? ................................................... .. H04L 17/02
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A remote control multimedia content listing system for
`providing an updated content listing of various media Within
`a remote control. The remote control multimedia content
`listing system includes a remote control having a housing, a
`display, a keypad, and an electronic system for receiving
`con?guration data from a control station via a global com
`puter network (e.g. Internet). The user may enter media
`information into the electronic system thereafter uploading
`the media information to the control station. The control
`station analyzes the uploaded media information and trans
`mits the appropriate con?guration data to properly con?gure
`the electronic system to provide a usable “guide” for the
`media. The user may also access a Web site of the control
`station and manually enter the media information after
`Which the control station sends the appropriate con?guration
`data to the electronic system. The electronic system also
`preferably receives automatic updates of the con?guration
`data When connected to the control station via the Internet
`for maintaining an updated multimedia listing.
`
`10
`
`114
`
`104
`
`112
`
`108
`
`Page 1 of 22
`
`Unified Patents Exhibit 1020
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 25, 2001 Sheet 1 0f 15
`
`US 2001/0033244 A1
`
`Page 2 of 22
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 25, 2001 Sheet 2 0f 15
`
`US 2001/0033244 A1
`
`10
`
`114
`
`FIGS
`
`20
`
`Page 3 of 22
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 25, 2001 Sheet 3 0f 15
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`US 2001/0033244 A1
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 25, 2001 Sheet 4 0f 15
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`US 2001/0033244 A1
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`Page 5 of 22
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 25, 2001 Sheet 5 0f 15
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Oct. 25, 2001 Sheet 7 0f 15
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`US 2001/0033244 A1
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`Programming
`Station
`'13
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`Control Station
`il)
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`1
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`Network
`(Le. Internet)
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`System
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`Page 8 of 22
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 25, 2001 Sheet 8 0f 15
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`US 2001/0033244 A1
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 25, 2001 Sheet 9 0f 15
`
`US 2001/0033244 A1
`
`Connect
`Eiectr‘onic
`System to
`Intel/‘net
`
`l
`
`Download
`COI/NCiQL/IPQJUOH
`Data
`
`FIG. 9
`
`Page 10 of 22
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`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 25, 2001 Sheet 10 0f 15
`
`US 2001/0033244 A1
`
`Connect Electronic System
`to Internet
`
`Uploool Music Data to
`Control System
`
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`
`Downloool Con?guration Doto
`
`Page 11 of 22
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 25, 2001 Sheet 11 0f 15
`
`US 2001/0033244 A1
`
`Recieve Uploooleol Music Date
`
`i
`
`IolentiFy Each Music CD
`
`Generate Con?guration
`Data
`
`1
`
`Download Con?guration Data
`‘to Electronic System
`
`FIG. 11
`
`Any Unidenti?ed
`Music CD's
`
`InFor‘m User
`Not [All Music
`CD 5 were
`Iolen‘tiFieol
`
`Page 12 of 22
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 25, 2001 Sheet 12 0f 15
`
`US 2001/0033244 A1
`
`Display Web Page
`*‘or User
`
`Enter Meolia
`InFormation into Web
`Page
`
`Connect Electronic
`System to Internet
`
`i
`l
`
`Download Con?guration
`Data
`
`g9 no 12
`
`Page 13 of 22
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 25, 2001 Sheet 13 0f 15
`
`US 2001/0033244 A1
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`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 25, 2001 Sheet 14 0f 15
`
`US 2001/0033244 A1
`
`108
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`
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`
`Musig Guide
`
`CD ‘ta-Aldo Nova (Subject)
`ying= Fantasy
`
`Page 15 of 22
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 25, 2001 Sheet 15 0f 15
`
`US 2001/0033244 A1
`
`20
`
`1 O 4
`
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`7=00pm Programming
`g NN)-Heod\lne News
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`BD-The Drew Carey Show
`‘ lKNBD-Friends
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`Hare...
`
`Page 16 of 22
`
`

`
`US 2001/0033244 A1
`
`Oct. 25, 2001
`
`REMOTE CONTROL MULTIMEDIA CONTENT
`LISTING SYSTEM
`
`Cross-Reference to Related US. Provisional Patent
`Application
`[0001] I hereby claim bene?t under Title 35, United States
`Code, Section 119(e) of United States provisional patent
`application Ser. No. 60/189,487 ?led Mar. 15, 2000. This
`application is a continuation of the application Ser. No.
`60/189,487. The application Ser. No. 60/189,487 is currently
`pending. The 60/189,487 application is hereby incorporated
`by reference into this patent application.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`[0002] The present invention relates generally to media
`guide systems and more speci?cally it relates to a remote
`control multimedia content listing system for providing an
`updated content listing of various media Within a remote
`control.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
`[0003] 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 storing multiple CDs, ampli?ers, equalizers, tape
`players, cable units, lighting, WindoW shades and other
`electronic devices. A conventional remote control is typi
`cally comprised of a housing structure, a keypad Within the
`housing structure for entering commands by the user, elec
`tronic circuitry Within the housing structure connected to the
`keypad, and a transmitter electrically connected to the
`electronic circuitry for transmitting a control signal to an
`electronic device to be operated.
`
`[0004] 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.
`
`[0005] 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.).
`Universal remote control devices alloW for the control of a
`plurality of external electronic devices With a single remote
`control thereby eliminating the need to have a plurality of
`remote controls physically present Within a room.
`
`[0006] Because of the numerous electronic devices Within
`a home today it is often times dif?cult for a user to remember
`the various programming and media materials available to
`them. Modern cable television netWorks noW provide a
`television “guide” regarding the upcoming television pro
`grams. Digital television netWorks provide advanced search
`features for locating desirable programming. HoWever, the
`user must typically sWitch the television channel to guide
`thereby interrupting the vieWing of their current television
`program.
`
`[0007] Many individuals also have CD changers and/or
`MP3 units that are capable of storing a plurality of music
`media. The main problem With conventional CD changers is
`that they are difficult to program an album and/or song
`information into requiring a plurality of tedious keystrokes
`entered into the keypad of the remote control. Hence there
`is a need for a convenient remote control system that is able
`to receive updated information regarding various media for
`use as a guide system.
`
`[0008] While these devices and systems may be suitable
`for the particular purpose to Which they address, they are not
`as suitable for providing an updated content listing of
`various media Within a remote control. Conventional guide
`systems are not user friendly and often times are tedious to
`program and utiliZe.
`
`[0009] In these respects, the remote control multimedia
`content listing 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
`an updated content listing of various media Within a remote
`control.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0010] In vieW of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in
`the knoWn types of media guides noW present in the prior art,
`the present invention provides a neW remote control multi
`media content listing system construction Wherein the same
`can be utilized for providing an updated content listing of
`various media Within a remote control.
`
`[0011] The general purpose of the present invention,
`Which Will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to
`provide a neW remote control multimedia content listing
`system that has many of the advantages of the remote
`controls and multimedia guides mentioned heretofore and
`many novel features that result in a neW remote control
`multimedia content listing system Which is not anticipated,
`rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the
`prior art multimedia guide systems, either alone or in any
`combination thereof.
`
`[0012] To attain this, the present invention generally com
`prises a remote control having a housing, a display, a
`keypad, and an electronic system for receiving con?guration
`data from a control station via a global computer netWork
`(e.g. Internet). The user may enter media information into
`the electronic system thereafter uploading the media infor
`mation to the control station. The control station analyZes
`the uploaded media information and transmits the appropri
`ate con?guration data to properly con?gure the electronic
`system to provide a usable “guide” for the media. The user
`may also access a Web site of the control station and
`manually enter the media information after Which the con
`trol station sends the appropriate con?guration data to the
`electronic system. The electronic system also preferably
`receives automatic updates of the con?guration data When
`connected to the control station via the Internet for main
`taining an updated multimedia listing.
`
`[0013] 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
`
`Page 17 of 22
`
`

`
`US 2001/0033244 A1
`
`Oct. 25, 2001
`
`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.
`
`[0014] 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.
`
`[0015] A primary object of the present invention is to
`provide a remote control multimedia content listing system
`that Will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.
`
`[0028] 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.
`
`[0029] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the electronic
`system along With a plurality of accessory devices connected
`to thereof.
`
`[0030] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the present invention
`in communication With the control station via a global
`computer netWork Wherein the electronic system is directly
`connected to an intermediary computer system.
`
`[0031] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the present invention
`in communication With the control station directly via a
`global computer netWork Without utiliZing an intermediary
`computer system.
`
`[0016] A second object is to provide a remote control
`multimedia content listing system for providing an updated
`content listing of various media Within a remote control.
`
`[0032] FIG. 9 is a ?oWchart illustrating the overall opera
`tion of the present invention for doWnloading the con?gu
`ration data from the control station.
`
`[0017] Another object is to provide a remote control
`multimedia content listing system that alloWs a user to easily
`program media listings contained Within their home.
`
`[0033] FIG. 10 is a ?oWchart illustrating the connecting to
`the control station for uploading music data and doWnload
`ing con?guration data.
`
`[0018] An additional object is to provide a remote control
`multimedia content listing system that is easy to utiliZe.
`
`[0019] A further object is to provide a remote control
`multimedia content listing system that alloWs an individual
`to quickly con?gure a universal remote control for various
`types of media including but not limited to movies, music
`and television programming.
`
`[0020] Another object is to provide a remote control
`multimedia content listing system that is simple to utiliZe.
`[0021] 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.
`
`[0022] 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
`[0023] 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:
`
`[0024] FIG. 1 is an upper perspective vieW of the present
`invention.
`
`[0025] FIG. 2 is a side vieW of the present invention.
`
`[0026] FIG. 3 is a side vieW of the present invention
`illustrating electronic circuitry Within.
`
`[0027] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the commu
`nications betWeen the present invention and a plurality of
`external electronic devices.
`
`[0034] FIG. 11 is a ?oWchart illustrating the process of
`receiving the uploaded music data, determining the identity
`of each music CD and transferring the con?guration data to
`the electronic system.
`
`[0035] FIG. 12 is a ?oWchart illustrating the usage of a
`Web page for entering media information into.
`
`[0036] FIG. 13 is an illustration of a Web page for entering
`media information into.
`
`[0037] FIG. 14 is a top vieW of the remote control
`shoWing the music guide being displayed on the display.
`
`[0038] FIG. 15 is a top vieW of the remote control
`shoWing the television guide being displayed on the display.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`[0039] 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.
`
`[0040] 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
`video discs), and computer instruction signals embodied in
`a transmission medium (With or Without a carrier Wave upon
`Which the signals are modulated). For example, the trans
`
`Page 18 of 22
`
`

`
`US 2001/0033244 A1
`
`Oct. 25, 2001
`
`mission medium may include a communications network,
`such as but not limited to the Internet or Wireless commu
`nications.
`
`[0041] Turning noW descriptively to the drawings, in
`Which similar reference characters denote similar elements
`throughout the several vieWs, FIGS. 1 through 15 illustrate
`remote control multimedia content listing system 10, Which
`comprises a remote control having a housing, a display, a
`keypad, and an electronic system for receiving con?guration
`data from a control station via a global computer netWork
`(e.g. Internet). The user may enter media information into
`the electronic system thereafter uploading the media infor
`mation to the control station. The control station analyZes
`the uploaded media information and transmits the appropri
`ate con?guration data to properly con?gure the electronic
`system to provide a usable “guide” for the media. The user
`may also access a Web site of the control station and
`manually enter the media information after Which the con
`trol station sends the appropriate con?guration data to the
`electronic system. The electronic system also preferably
`receives automatic updates of the con?guration data When
`connected to the control station via the Internet for main
`taining an updated multimedia listing.
`[0042] A. Remote Control Structure
`[0043] 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.
`
`[0044] The present invention may be utiliZed to control
`and operate various external electronic devices including but
`not limited to televisions, stereos, receivers, VCRs, DVD
`players, CD players, CD changers, 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 invention as can be accomplished With conven
`tional remote control devices.
`
`[0045] 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.
`
`[0046] 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 electronic systems.
`
`[0047] The microprocessor 116 is a general-purpose digi
`tal processor that controls the operation of the electronic
`
`system 100. Microprocessor 116 can be a single-chip pro
`cessor or implemented With multiple components. Using
`instructions retrieved from memory, microprocessor 116
`controls the reception and manipulations of input data and
`the output and display of data on output devices.
`[0048] The memory bus 118 is utiliZed by microprocessor
`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 instructions
`or program code folloWed by microprocessor 116 as Well as
`other data.
`
`[0049] 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.
`
`[0050] 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. The display screen 104 dis
`plays the media guide for the user to vieW and interact With
`using the keypad 114. The display screen may be comprised
`of any Well-knoWn display means such as LED, LCD or the
`like. Other output devices such as a printer, plotter, typeset
`ter, etc. can be utiliZed as an accessory device 106 With the
`electronic system 100.
`[0051] 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, PCCARD, ?ash memory, and ?oppy disk.
`[0052] The netWork interface 112 is utiliZed to send and
`receive data over a netWork connected to other electronic
`systems. The netWork interface may also 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. The
`electronic system 100 may connect to the Internet 130 via a
`computer system 60 or directly as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and
`8 respectively.
`[0053] 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. The user utiliZes the
`keypad 114 to control the vieWing and operation of the
`media guide of the display 104.
`
`Page 19 of 22
`
`

`
`US 2001/0033244 A1
`
`Oct. 25, 2001
`
`[0054] 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.
`
`[0055] 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, bidirectional,
`radio frequency (RF), visible light, ultrasonic and various
`other means for communicating With external electronic
`devices. The communications device 108 may be capable of
`receiving a “signal sample” from another remote control
`Wherein the signal sample is stored Within the electronic
`system as is common With universal remote controls.
`
`[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. Various other input devices
`may be utiliZed to input data into the electronic system 100
`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 elec
`tronic devices.
`[0057] B. Communication System
`
`[0058] The present invention is best operated upon a
`global computer netWork such as the Internet 130. A plu
`rality of computer systems around the World are in commu
`nication With one another via this global computer netWork.
`
`[0059] The present invention preferably utiliZes the Inter
`net 130 for communications, hoWever it can be appreciated
`that as future technologies are created that various aspects of
`the invention may be practiced With these improved tech
`nologies. In addition, Wireless technologies provide a suit
`able communications medium for operating the present
`invention.
`
`[0060] C. Web Page
`[0061] The present invention is preferably utiliZed in
`conjunction With information presented upon a Web page or
`other displayable medium representing the control station
`40. A Web page is typically comprised of a Web page code
`that is stored upon a computer server. A typical Web page
`includes textual, graphical and audio data Within for display
`upon a computer system 60 and may be comprised of
`various formats.
`
`[0062] The Web page code may be formatted such as but
`not limited to HTML (HyperText Markup Language), XML
`(Extensible Markup Language), HDML (Handheld Device
`Markup Language), and WML (Wireless Markup Language)
`
`that is displayable upon a computer system. Scripts such as
`JavaScript may be included Within the Web page code to
`request the server computer to request a speci?c audio ?le to
`be played With respect to an advertisement. As can be
`appreciated, additional formats for the Web page code may
`be utiliZed as developed.
`
`[0063] The Web page code is retrieved by a computer
`system 60 or electronic system 100 via the Internet, Wireless
`netWork or other communications channel utiliZing a con
`ventional Web broWser such as but not limited to
`NETSCAPE or MICROSOFT INTERNET EXPLORER.
`An individual using the computer system 60 enters the URL
`(Uniform Resource Locator) identifying the Web page to
`retrieve the Web page code associated With the desired Web
`page.
`
`[0064] As shoWn in FIG. 13 of the draWings, at least one
`of the Web pages associated With the control station 40
`alloWs for the direct entry of information such as media
`information. More particularly, information relating to the
`type of media (eg video tape, compact disc, DVD, tape,
`etc.) and title information (eg artist name, album name,
`etc.) entered into the Web page that are thereafter forWarded
`to the control station 40 for determination of the con?gu
`ration data. Various other designs of Web pages may be
`utiliZed to receive various types of information as can be
`appreciated by one skilled in the art.
`
`[0065] D. Control Station
`[0066] The control station 40 is in communication With the
`Internet 130 via various Well-knoWn means. The control
`station 40 is preferably accessed by users via a Web page
`Which alloWs the users to identify themselves and modify
`user settings. The user may input various conditions and
`requirements regarding the external electronic devices 12
`that the remote control is to control along With the media.
`The user settings and data input may be modi?ed at anytime
`via the Web page or other means.
`
`[0067] The control station 40 is in communication With
`one or more programming stations 50 that provide updated
`media information to the control station 40. The media
`information is basically comprised of media type, title, and
`other relevant information. It can be appreciated that addi
`tional types of media information may be received and
`stored by the control station 40.
`
`[0068] The control station 40 maintains a database that
`alloWs for the determination of a media contained Within a
`user’s home entertainment system. The database alloWs for
`the determination of What media is on the electronic devices
`12. The control station 40 is preferably updated at periodic
`intervals regarding updated information regarding neW
`media on the market along With updated television program
`ming listings.
`[0069] E. Media Guide
`[0070] the “media guide” is controlled by the electronic
`system 100 and displayed by the display 104 for the user to
`vieW. The media guide provides a listing of the media (eg
`compact discs, DVDs, video tapes) for the user to vieW. An
`example of for the media guide is illustrated in FIGS. 14
`and 15 of the draWings.
`
`[0071] The user may utiliZe the keypad 114 to “scroll” and
`“select” the media they are interested in Watching and/or
`
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`US 2001/0033244 A1
`
`Oct. 25, 2001
`
`listening too. For example, a listing of television program-
`ming may be displayed for a specific period of time wherein
`the user may select a displayed programming event to watch.
`When the user selects the desired programming, the elec-
`tronic system 100 transmits a signal
`to the appropriate
`external electronic devices 12 to achieve the desired setting
`for the electronic devices 12. The media guide may also
`include additional information relating to the media to be
`watched such as a description of a movie listed on the media
`guide and related information.
`
`[0072] For example, when the user activates the television
`listing, it is displayed correctly for the current time. The user
`can scroll to a show of interest shown on the screen. When
`the user “selects” that show, the electronic device determines
`what channel change signal needs to be sent to the television
`to display that show. When the user activates the television
`listing, the user can scroll forward in time and select a show
`that they are interested in recording. When the user “selects”
`that show, the electronic system determines what date and
`time that show is on and sends the appropriate control
`signals to the VCR to program the VCR to record that show.
`When the user activates the listing of their CDs and CD track
`names, the user can scroll to