US007944370B1
`
`US 7,944,370 BI
`(10) Patent No:
`a2) United States Patent
`Harriset al.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`May17, 2011
`
`
`(75)
`
`(54) CONFIGURATION METHOD FORA
`REMOTE CONTROL VIA MODEL NUMBER
`ENTRY FOR A CONTROLLED DEVICE
`Inventors: Glen McLean Harris, Auckland (NZ);
`Justin M. Henry, Mississauga (CA)
`(73) Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A., Morges (CH)
`(*) Noti
`gutieers
`dixclai
`oat
`fbi
`otice:
`ubject
`to any disclaimer,
`the
`term of
`this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0days.
`
`1/1986 Hargeret al.
`4,566,034 A
`$3088 4 | 108 IMseas
`41837627 A
`6/1989 Mengel SS ot
`4.918.439 A
`4/1990 Wozniak et
`al.
`4.959.810 A
`9/1990 ahi a
`5,109,222 A
`4/1992 Welty
`Continued
`(
`ed)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`:
`e
`see .
`. zane
`(Continued)
`
`“
`GN
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 11/267,528
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`(22)
`
`aT
`Filed:
`
`:
`Nov, 3, 2005
`Related U.S, Application Data
`(63) Continuation of application No. 11/199,922,filed on
`Aug. 8, 2005, now Pat. No. 7,436,319, which isa
`continuation ofapplication No. 10/839,970, filed on
`May 5, 2004, now Pat. No. 7,612,685, which is a
`continuation of application No. 09/804,623,filed on
`Mar. 12, 2001, now abandoned.
`Provisional application No. 60/189,487, filed on Mar.
`15. 2000.
`:
`
`(60)
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`GOSB 19/05
`(52) USD-rvnrr-- 340U825.22; 340/825.69; 341/176
`(58)
`Field of Classification Search............ 340/825.69,
`340/825.72. 825.22. 5.73. 426.13, 825.29
`. 340/825 37: 34]76: '308iI 07
`See application file for complete sanreh history
`=
`References Cited
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`(Continued)
`
`=
`:
`.
`Primary Examiner — Vernal U Brown
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Kilpatrick Townsend &
`Stockton LLP
`
`.
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`An online remote control configuration systemforefficiently
`programming a remote control to recognize a plurality of
`external electronic devices. The online remote control con-
`figuration systemincludes a remote control having a housing,
`a keypad, and anelectronic system for receiving configura-
` SGndata froma control station via aglobal computer network
`(8: Internet). Theuser preferably “samples”one or more
`signals from a remote controlinto the electronic system and
`then uploads the samples to the control station. The control
`station analyzes the uploaded samples and transmits the
`appropriate configuration data to properly configurethe elec-
`tronic system. The user may also access a website of the
`control station and manually select eachof the external elec-
`tronic devicesthat the remote control is to operate after which
`the control station sends the appropriate configuration data to
`the electronic system,
`
`25 Claims, 16 Drawing Sheets
`
`10—\
`
`114
`
`Roku EX1013
`U.S. Patent No. 9,716,853
`
`Roku EX1013
`U.S. Patent No. 9,716,853
`
`

`

`US 7,944,370 BI
`Page 2
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`9/2003
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`3/2004
`3/2004
`3/2004
`4/2004
`5/2004
`6/2004
`7/2004
`9/2004
`9/2004
`
`Pan et al.
`Hayesetal.
`Hayes
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`Foster
`Hayes
`Hayesetal,
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`Yuh etal.
`Hayeset al.
`Hayesetal.
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`Arling
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`Hayesetal.
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`Janik
`Hayesetal.
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`Janik
`Chanmbers
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`Huangetal.
`Arling etal.
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`Arling etal.
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`6,748,248
`6,781,518
`6,781,638
`6,784,804
`6,785,579
`6,788,241
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`6,829,512
`6,847,101
`6,859,197
`6,870,463
`6,882,729
`6,885,952
`6,917,302
`6,933,833
`6,938, LOL
`6,946,988
`6,947,101
`6,968,570
`6,980,150
`7,005,979
`7,010,805
`7,013,434
`RE39,059
`7,046,161
`7,079,113
`7,091,898
`7,093,003
`7,102,688
`7,119,710
`7,126,468
`7,129,995
`7,136,709
`7,142,127
`7,142,934
`7,142,935
`7,143,214
`7,154,428
`7,155,305
`7,161,524
`7,167,765
`7,167,913
`7,193,661
`7,200,357
`7,209,116
`7,218,243
`7,221,306
`RE39.716
`7,253,765
`7,254,777
`7,266,701
`7,266,777
`7,268,694
`7,274,303
`7,281,262
`7,319,409
`7,319,426
`2002/0056084
`2002/0190956
`2003/0046579
`2003/0048295
`2003/0095 156
`2003/0103088
`2003/0117427
`2003/0151538
`2003/0164773
`2003/0164787
`2003/0189509 2
`2003/0193519
`2003/0233664
`2004/0046677
`2004/0056789
`2004/0056984
`2004/0070491
`2004/0093096 /
`2004/0117632
`2004/0136726
`2004/0169590
`2004/0169598
`
`5,140,326
`5,161,023
`5,177,461
`5,228,077
`5,255,313
`5,272,418
`5,374,999
`5,410,326
`5,414,426
`5,414,761
`5,422,783
`$481,251
`5,481,256
`5,515,052
`5,537,463
`5,552,917
`5,568,367
`5,579,221
`5,614,906
`5,619,196
`5,629,868
`5,638,050 J
`5,671,267
`5,677,711
`5,686,891
`5,689,353
`5,778,256
`5,907,322
`5,943,228
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`5,953,144
`5,959,751
`5,963,145
`6,002,450
`6,014,092
`6,097,309
`6,097,441
`6,104,334
`6,130,625
`6,130,726
`6,133,847
`6,147,677
`6,154,204
`6,157,319
`6,169,451
`6,173,330
`6,177,931
`6,195,033
`6,211,870
`6,223,348
`6,225,938
`6,243,035
`6,255,961
`6,271,831
`6,275,268
`6,278,499
`6,288,799
`6,330,091
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`6,496,135
`6,522,262
`6,538,556
`6,563,430
`6,567,011
`6,567,984
`6,587,067
`6,628,340
`6,629,077
`6,640,144
`6,642,852
`6,650,247
`6,657,679
`6,690,290
`6,701,091
`6,720,904
`6,722,984
`6,724,339
`6,747,591
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`
`

`

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`
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`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`May17, 2011
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`ell
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`U.S. Patent
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`May17, 2011
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`US 7,944,370 BI
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`FIG2
`
`14
`
`A 1
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`US 7,944,370 BI
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`May17, 2011
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`Sheet 3 of 16
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`Ol vit
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`U.S. Patent
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`US 7,944,370 BI
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`U.S. Patent
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`May17, 2011
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`Sheet 5 of 16
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`US 7,944,370 BI
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`U.S. Patent
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`May17, 2011
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`Sheet6 of 16
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`US 7,944,370 BI
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`104
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 17,2011
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`Sheet 7 of 16
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`US 7,944,370 BI
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`
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`“May 17
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`Sheet 8 of 16
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`US 7,944,370 BI
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`U.S. Patent
`
`May17, 2011
`
`Sheet9 of 16
`
`US 7,944,370 BI
`
`Download Configuation Data
`
`Connect Electronic Systen
`to Internet
`
`Sample Signal of Remote
`Control
`
`Store “Sample Data’
`
`More Remote
`Controls?
`
`Upload Sample Data to
`Control Systen
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May17, 2011
`
`Sheet 10 of 16
`
`US 7,944,370 BI
`
`
`
`Recieve Uploaded Sample
`
`Data Identify Each Renote
` r 1G,
`Data Download Configuration Data
`to Electronic Systen
`
`
`Control Sampled
`
`10
`
`
`
`Generate Configuration
`
`
` Any Unidentified
`Inform User
`Not Alt Remotes
`Renote
`
`Were Identified
`Controls?
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May17, 2011
`
`Sheet 11 of 16
`
`US 7,944,370 BI
`
`Enter Device
`Information into Web
`Page
`
`11
`
`Display Web Poge
`for User
`
`Connect Electronic
`System to Internet
`
`Download Configuration
`Dato
`
`FIG.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 17,2011
`
`Sheet 12 of 16
`
`US 7,944,370 BI
`
`Remote Configuration
`Fite
`Coit
`View
`
`Favorites
`
`Device #1
`
`Type:
`
`Television
`
`Brand:
`
`Toshiba
`
`Model:
`
`CZ32A50
`
`Type:
`
`DVD Player
`
`DVPS60D
`
`Brand:|Sony
`
`Model:
`
`
`
`FIG.
`
`Ie
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May17, 2011
`
`Sheet 13 of 16
`
`US 7,944,370 BI
`
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`U.S. Patent
`
`“May 17
`
`, 2011
`
`Sheet 14 of 16
`
`US 7,944,370 BI
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`U.S. Patent
`
`May17, 2011
`
`Sheet 15 of 16
`
`US 7,944,370 BI
`
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May17, 2011
`
`Sheet 16 of 16
`
`US 7,944,370 BI
`
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`

`

`US 7,944,370 Bl
`
`1
`CONFIGURATION METHOD FOR A
`REMOTE CONTROL VIA MODEL NUMBER
`ENTRY FOR A CONTROLLED DEVICE
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. PATENT
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation of and claimspriority
`fromU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/199,922,filed Aug.
`8, 2005, whichis a continuation of U.S. patent application
`Ser. No. 10/839,970, filed May 5, 2004, whichis a continu-
`ation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/804,623, filed
`Mar. 12, 2001, now abandoned, which claims the benefit of
`U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/189,487, filed
`Mar. 15, 2000, all of which are incorporated herein by refer-
`encein their entirety for all purposes.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field ofthe Invention
`The present invention relates generally to universal remote
`control devices and more specifically it relates to an online
`remote control configuration system forefficiently program-
`ming a remote control to control a plurality of external elec-
`tronic devices.
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`Remote control devices have been in use for years. Remote
`control devices are utilized to operate various external elec-
`tronic devices includingbut notlimited to televisions, stereos,
`receivers, VCRs, DVD players, CD players, amplifiers,
`equalizers, tape players, cable units, lighting, window shades
`and otherelectronic devices. A conventional remote controlis
`typically comprised of a housing structure, a keypad within
`the housing structure for entering commands by theuser,
`electronic 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.
`‘The user depresses one or more buttons upon the keypad
`when a desired operation of a specific electronic device is
`desired. For example, if the user desires to turn the poweroff
`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 turningoff.
`Because of the multiple electronic devices currently avail-
`able within many homes and businesses today, a relatively
`new type of remote controlis utilized to allow for the control
`ofa plurality of electronic devices commonly referred to as a
`“universal remote control.” Most universal remote controls
`
`have “selector buttons”that are associated with the specific
`electronic device to be controlled by the remote control (e.g.
`television, VCR, DVDplayer,etc.). Universal remote control
`devices allow for the control of a plurality of external elec-
`tronic devices with a single remote control therebyeliminat-
`ing the need to have a plurality of remote controls physically
`present within a room.
`Conventional universal remote controls are typically pro-
`grammed using two methods: (1) entering an “identifier
`code”directly into the remote control, or (2) sampling the
`control signal transmitted by another remote control device.
`Neither method of programming a universal remote controlis
`efficient and causes many consumersto either not purchase a
`universal remote control or abandon the usage of an already
`purchased remote control.
`Entering identifier codes into a remote control canbe time
`consuming and difficult for many users. If the user loses the
`“code book” that comes with the universal remote control
`
`ws
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`they are often timesleft with a useless universal remote con-
`trol that they are unable to reprogram. Often times a consumer
`is given 4-8 different “possible” identifier codes for a particu-
`lar brand ofelectronic device thereby requiring the userto,
`throughtrial and error, determinethe correctidentifier code.
`Sometimes an individual believes they have entered the
`properidentifier code since one or two of the commands on
`the keypad work only to find out later that one or more
`commandsdo not work with the electronic device since the
`properidentifier code was not entered.
`Also, sampling ofcontrol signals is very time consuming
`and difficult to ensure proper sampling. An individual must
`expendsignificant amounts oftime sampling infrared signals
`from another remote control and “saving” these signals
`within the universal remote control thereafter assigning the
`particular signal to a button on the keypad. This is very labor
`intensive andthe results are only as stable as the infrared code
`sampled.
`There are many problems with conventional universal
`remote controls. For example, many universal remote con-
`trols have a plurality of buttons wherein many are never
`utilized since the manufacturer attempts to have physical
`buttons for each possible command ofeach possible elec-
`tronic device. Another problem conventional universal
`remote controls is that the electronic componentswithin these
`devices is relatively complex and expensive to manufacture
`resulting in an increased cost to the consumer.
`While these devices may be suitable for the particular
`purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for
`) efficiently programming a remote control to recognize a plu-
`rality of external electronic devices. Conventional universal
`remote control devices do not allow for easy and quick pro-
`gramming thereof. In addition, conventional universal remote
`controls are not always properly programmed thereby caus-
`ing consumerdissatisfaction.
`In these respects, the online remote control configuration
`system according to the present
`invention substantially
`departs from the conventional concepts and designs ofthe
`prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily
`developed for the purpose of efficiently programming a
`remote control to recognizea plurality ofexternal electronic
`devices.
`
`40
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`45
`
`a
`
`6
`
`In view ofthe foregoing disadvantages inherent in the
`knowntypes ofuniversal remote controls now presentin the
`priorart, the present invention provides a new online remote
`control configuration system construction wherein the same
`) can be utilized for efficiently programming a remote control
`to recognize a plurality of external electronic devices.
`The general purposeofthe present invention, which will be
`described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new
`online remote contro] configuration systemthat has many of
`the advantagesofthe universal remote control devices men-
`tioned heretofore and manynovelfeatures that result ina new
`online remote contro] configuration system which is not
`anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by
`any ofthe prior art remote controls, either alone or in any
`combination thereof.
`To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a
`remote control having a housing, a keypad, and anelectronic
`system for receiving configuration data from a controlstation
`via a global computer network(e.g. Internet). The user pref-
`erably “samples” one or more signals from a remote control
`into the electronic system and then uploadsthe samplesto the
`control station. The control station analyzes the uploaded
`
`

`

`US 7,944,370 Bl
`
`3
`samples and transmits the appropriate configuration data to
`properly configure the electronic system. The user may also
`access a web site of the control station and manually select
`each ofthe external electronic devices that the remote control
`is to operate after which the controlstation sends the appro-
`priate configuration data to the electronic system.
`There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
`important features of the invention in orderthat the detailed
`description thereof may be better understood, and in order
`that the present contribution to the art may be better appreci-
`ated. There are additionalfeatures ofthe inventionthat will be
`described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of
`the claims appended hereto,
`In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment
`of the invention in detail,
`it
`is to be understood that the
`FIG.6 is a block diagramillustrating the electronic system
`along with a plurality of accessory devices connected to
`invention is not limited in its application to the details of
`thereof.
`construction and to the arrangements of the components set
`FIG. 7 is a block diagramofthe present invention in com-
`forth, in the following description orillustrated in the draw-
`munication with the control station via a global computer
`ings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of
`network whereinthe electronic systemis directly connected
`being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to
`to an intermediary computer system.
`be understood that
`the phraseology and terminology
`FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the present invention in com-
`employed herein are for the purpose of the description and
`munication with the controlstation directly via a global com-
`should not be regarded aslimiting.
`puter network without utilizing an intermediary computer
`A primary object ofthe present inventionis to provide an
`system.
`online remote control configuration system that will over-
`
`comethe shortcomingsofthe prior art devices. FIG.9is a flowchartillustrating the overall operationof the
`A second object is to provide an online remote control
`present invention from sampling the signal code of each
`configuration system for efficiently programming a remote
`remote control to downloadingthe configuration data.
`i
`control to recognizea plurality of external electronic devices.
`“1G. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the functionality within
`Another objectis to provide an online remote control con-
`the control station for identifying each electronic device.
`figuration systemthat allowsfor a simple electronic configu-
`FIG, 11 is a flowchart illustrating the usage of a web page
`ration.
`to allow a userto directly enter the identity ofeach electronic
`device into the controlstation.
`Anadditional objectis to provide anonline remote control
`configuration system that does not require a universal remote
`FIG, 12 is an illustration of a web page for entering elec-
`tronic device informationinto.
`control to store hundreds ofdifferent signal codes that are
`neverutilized.
`FIG, 13 is an illustration of a web page displaying the
`connection of external electronic devices.
`FIG. 14 is an illustration of a web page displaying the
`selection of channels to include and exclude fromthe elec-
`tronic system configuration.
`FIG. 15 is an illustration of a web page showing the key
`mappings upon the keypad as configured.
`“1G. 16 is an illustration of a web page showingthe setup
`of various tasks such as “Watch Television” and “Watch
`DVD”
`
`4
`erence characters designate the sameorsimilar parts through-
`out the several views, and wherein:
`FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view ofthe present inven-
`tion.
`FIG, 2 is a side viewof the present invention.
`FIG. 3 is a side view ofthe present inventionillustrating
`electronic circuitry within.
`FIG. 4 is a block diagramillustrating the communications
`between the present invention and a plurality of external
`electronic devices.
`FIG. 5 is a block diagramillustrating the electronic system
`of the present invention electrically connected to the power
`source and in communication with the external electronic
`devices.
`
`
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`The following description is presented to enable any per-
`son skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is
`provided in the context of a particular application and its
`requirements. Various modificationsto the disclosed embodi-
`ments will be readily apparentto those skilled in the art, and
`the general principles defined 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 embodiments
`shown,butis to be accorded the widest scope consistent with
`the principles and features disclosed herein.
`The data structures and code described in this detailed
`description are typically stored on a computerreadable stor-
`age 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
`dises) and DVDs(digital video discs), and computer instruc-
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`45
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`50
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`6
`
`A further object is to provide an online remote control
`configuration system that allows an individual to quickly
`configure a universal remote control.
`A further object is to provide an online remote control
`configuration system thatis able to upload a relatively com-
`plex configuration(e.g. “watch television”) than is currently
`possible with current universals.
`A further object is to provide an online remote control
`configuration system that allows customization of a remote
`control butfor the specific system in whichthey are intercon-
`nected (e.g. so that they are effectively a system).
`A further object is to provide an online remote control
`configuration system that can be configured to how the user
`desires to utilize electronic devices.
`
`Other objects and advantagesofthe present invention will
`become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these
`
`objects and advantages are within the scope of the present
`invention.
`
`‘To the accomplishment ofthe above and related objects,
`this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated 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 specific constructionillustrated
`and described within the scope ofthe appended claims.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Variousother objects, features and attendant advantages of
`the present invention will become fully appreciated as the
`same becomes better understood when considered in con-
`
`aA
`
`junction with the accompanying drawings, in whichlike ref-
`
`

`

`US 7,944,370 Bl
`
`a
`tion signals embodied in a transmission medium (with or
`without a carrier wave uponwhichthesignals are modulated).
`For example, the transmission medium may include a com-
`munications network,suchas but notlimited to the Internet or
`wireless communications.
`‘Turning nowdescriptively to the drawings, in which simi-
`lar reference characters denote similar elements throughout
`the several views, FIGS. 1 through 16 illustrate an online
`remote control configuration system 10, which comprises a
`remote control having a housing, a keypad, and an electronic
`systemfor receiving configurationdata from a controlstation
`via a global computer network(e.g. Internet). The user pref-
`erably “samples” one or more signals from a remote control
`intothe electronic system and then uploads the samplesto the
`control station. The control station analyzes the uploaded
`samples and transmits the appropriate configuration data to
`properly configure the electronic system. The user may also
`access a web site of the control station and manually select
`eachofthe external electronic devices that the remote control
`is to operate after which the controlstation sends the appro-
`priate configuration data to the electronic system, The user
`can also specify howthe devices are connected and the con-
`figuration can be transferred to the electronic system 100
`fromthe control station 40.
`A. Remote Control Structure
`‘The present inventiongenerally is comprised of a housing
`20 having a structure and shape similar to conventional
`remote control devices. The housing 20 may be constructed of
`various types ofmaterials and shapes as can be appreciated by
`oneskilled in the art. The housing is preferably structured to
`be ergonomic for a majority ofusers.
`The present invention may beutilized to control and oper-
`ate various external electronic devices including but not lim-
`ited to televisions, stereos, receivers, VCRs, DVDplayers,
`CD players, amplifiers, equalizers, tape players, cable units,
`satellite dish receivers, lighting, window shades and other
`electronic devices.Almost any numberofexternal electronic
`devices maybe controlled by the present invention as can be
`accomplished with conventional remote control devices.
`FIG. 6 is a block diagramof an exemplary electronic sys-
`tem 100 for practicing the various aspects of the present
`invention. The electronic system 100 is preferably enclosed
`within the housing. A portable power source 140is electri-
`cally 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.
`The electronic system 100 preferably includes a display
`screen 104, a network interface 112, a keypad 114, a micro-
`processor 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 communi-
`cations device 108. As can be appreciated, the electronic
`system 100 of the present invention may be comprised of any
`combinationofwell-known computerdevices, personal digi-
`tal assistants (PDAs),
`laptop computers, remote control
`devices and other electronic systems.
`The microprocessor 116 is a general-purposedigital pro-
`cessor that controls the operation ofthe electronic system
`100. Microprocessor 116 can be a single-chip processoror
`implemented with multiple components. Usinginstructions,
`retrieved from memory, microprocessor 116 controls the
`reception and manipulationsof input data and the output and
`display ofdata on output devices.
`‘The memory bus 118 is utilized by microprocessor 116 to
`access RAM 120 and ROM 122. RAM 120 is used by micro-
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`processor 116 as a general storage area and as scratch-pad
`memory, and can also be used to store input data and pro-
`cessed data. ROM 122 can be used to store instructions or
`program code followed by microprocessor 116 as well as
`other data.
`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 com-
`munications device 108, and a networkinterface 112. A key-
`pad controller 126 is used to receive input from the keypad
`114 and send decoded symbolsfor each pressed key to micro-
`processor 116 over bus 128.
`Th