(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2012/0249890 A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Oct. 4, 2012
`Chardon et al.
`
`US 2012O249890A1
`
`(54) APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR
`CONFIGURATION AND OPERATION OFA
`REMOTE-CONTROL SYSTEM
`
`(75) Inventors:
`
`Jean-Michel Chardon, Toronto
`(CA); Eric Raeber, Redwood City,
`CA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee:
`
`Logitech Europe S.A., Morges
`(CH)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`13/077,750
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Mar. 31, 2011
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2011.01)
`H04N 5/44
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................. 348/734; 348/E05.096
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A method for configuring a remote-control system includes
`querying via a bus a High Definition Multi-Media Interface
`(HDMI) display for an Extended Display Identification Data
`(EDID) for the HDMI display; receiving via the bus from the
`HDMI display the EDID for the HDMI display; and storing
`via a processor in a memory the EDID and a link between the
`EDID of the HDMI display a set of command codes config
`ured for controlling the HDMI display.
`
`105a
`
`145
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`140
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`
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`Multi-Media
`Gateway
`110
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`145
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`140
`
`145
`
`140
`
`145
`
`140
`
`145
`
`140
`
`
`
`
`
`OO
`
`Roku EX1032
`U.S. Patent No. 9,911,325
`
`

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`US 2012/024989.0 A1
`
`Oct. 4, 2012
`
`APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR
`CONFIGURATION AND OPERATION OFA
`REMOTE-CONTROL SYSTEM
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0001. The present invention generally relates to remote
`control systems. More particularly, embodiments of the
`present invention relate to a remote-control system config
`ured to operate on a variety of remote control platforms, such
`as High Definition Multi-Media Interface appliances.
`0002 Traditional remote-control devices for controlling
`appliances have typically been hand-held electronic devices,
`and have typically been configured to control a variety of
`appliances including televisions, DVD players, Stereo equip
`ment (e.g., CD players, tuners, amplifiers, etc.), personal
`video recorders (PVRs), set-top-boxes (cable television tun
`ers, satellite dish tuners, etc.), Surround Sound devices, other
`remote-control devices (e.g., IR blasters, RF blasters, etc.),
`media applications on a computer, or other types of processor
`controlled devices, etc. Some remote-control devices are also
`configured to control heating systems, cooling systems, light
`ing, window coverings, and the like.
`0003 Modern remote-control devices have progressed
`from traditional hand-held electronic devices to remote-con
`trol systems that may be embedded in appliances, blasters,
`set-top-boxes, bridges, etc. One or more components of Such
`embedded systems may continue to be hand-held, either in a
`form factor similar to a traditional remote-control device, or
`as a software-based controller embedded in hand-held
`devices, such as Smartphones. As is well known by those of
`skill in the art, the High Definition Multi-Media Interface
`(HDMI) standard specifies the Consumer Electronic Control
`(CEC) standard, which provides for connected HDMI appli
`ances (e.g., connected via HDMI cables) to remotely control
`one another. That is, the CEC standard provides that con
`nected HDMI appliance may each include a remote-control
`system, which is embedded in an HDMI appliance, where
`each remote-control system in each connected HDMI appli
`ance may control the other connected HDMI appliances. The
`CEC standard is an option standard and is not required to be
`implemented in HDMI appliances. The goal of the CEC stan
`dard is to simplify the remote control of HDMI appliances by
`providing that a single command entered in one HDMI appli
`ance may be proliferated throughout a set of HDMI appli
`ances to place the set of HDMI appliances in a desired state.
`For example, one of the more commonly expected remote
`control functions under the CEC standard is “one touch play.”
`For one touch play, an HDMI DVD player, for example,
`receiving a play command to play a DVD may issue CEC
`command codes to an HDMITV to power on, switch the input
`to the HDMI DVD player, and format the screen dimensions
`(e.g., widescreen) for the DVD. The HDMI DVD player may
`also issue CEC command codes to an HDMI surround sound
`system to power on and adjust to a given Volume level and
`Sound equalization setting. The foregoing described remote
`control operation has traditionally required a series of button
`presses on one or more traditional remote-control devices.
`The CEC standard provides that these multiple commands
`may be accomplished with a single button press (e.g., press of
`the play button on the HDMI DVD player, the press of the
`play button on a traditional remote-control device configured
`to control the HDMI DVD player, etc.).
`0004 While the CEC standard was designed to simplify
`remote control operations, the CEC standard introduces a
`
`number of complications into remote-control systems
`embedded in HDMI devices. One complication that the CEC
`standard introduces is the allowance of custom CEC com
`mand codes for HDMI appliances. More specifically, custom
`CEC command codes may be created for some HDMI appli
`ances where these custom CEC command codes are unrec
`ognized and not understood by other HDMI appliances.
`Therefore, not all HDMI appliances that are interconnected
`will be configured to understand the custom CEC command
`codes of other HDMI appliances. Further, the CEC standard
`provides limited Solutions for correcting and compensating
`for failed CEC command codes.
`0005. Therefore, new remote-control systems, such as
`new embedded remote-control systems, are needed to pro
`vide solutions for known short comings in the CEC standard
`as well as to provide enhanced functions not specified by the
`CEC standard.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0006. The present invention generally relates to remote
`control systems. More particularly, embodiments of the
`present invention relate to a remote-control system config
`ured to operate on a variety of remote control platforms. Such
`as HDMI appliances.
`0007 According to one embodiment of the present inven
`tion, a method for configuring a remote-control system
`includes querying via a bus a High Definition Multi-Media
`Interface (HDMI) display for an Extended Display Identifi
`cation Data (EDID) for the HDMI display; receiving via the
`bus from the HDMI display the EDID for the HDMI display:
`and storing via a processor in a memory the EDID and a link
`between the EDID of the HDMI display a set of command
`codes configured for controlling the HDMI display.
`0008 According to a specific embodiment, the set of com
`mand codes is a set of IR command codes or a set of CEC
`command codes. According to another specific embodiment,
`the method further includes storing via a processor in the
`memory another link between the EDID of the HDMI display
`and a model number for the HDMI display. According to
`another specific embodiment, the method further includes
`determining the model number from an inference from opera
`tion of a remote-control device, from querying a user of the
`remote-control device, or from downloading to the remote
`control system the model number from a remote database.
`0009. According to another specific embodiment, the
`method further includes storing via a processor in the
`memory another link between the EDID of the HDMI display
`and a make of the HDMI display. The memory may be a local
`memory of the remote-control system or a remote memory
`accessible by a plurality of remote-control systems.
`0010. According to one embodiment of the present inven
`tion, a method for configuring a remote-control system
`includes querying via a bus a set of High Definition Multi
`Media Interface (HDMI) appliances for a set of Consumer
`Electronic Control (CEC) identifiers, where the HDMI appli
`ances of the set of HDMI appliances are respectively associ
`ated with the CEC vendor identifiers of the set of CEC vendor
`identifiers. The method further includes receiving via the bus
`from the set of HDMI appliances the set of CEC vendor
`identifiers. The method further includes storing via a proces
`sor in a memory the set of CEC vendor identifiers, and a set of
`links that respectively link in the memory the CEC vendor
`identifiers in the set of CEC vendor identifiers with sets of
`command codes for the set of HDMI appliances.
`
`

`

`US 2012/024989.0 A1
`
`Oct. 4, 2012
`
`0011. According to a specific embodiment, the method
`further includes storing via a processor in the memory
`another set of links respectively linking the CEC vendor
`identifiers of the set of CEC vendor identifiers and make
`identifiers of a set of make identifiers, which identify the
`HDMI appliances in set of HDMI appliances. According to
`another specific embodiment, the method further includes
`storing via a processor in the memory another set of links
`between the CEC vendor identifiers of the set of CEC vendor
`identifiers and model numbers of a set of model number for
`the HDMI appliances in the set of HDMI appliances.
`0012. According to one embodiment of the present inven
`tion, a method for operating a remote-control system includes
`monitoring a Consumer Electronic Control (CEC) bus for a
`CEC command code transmitted over the CEC bus from a first
`HDMI appliance to a second HDMI appliance, which is con
`nected to the first HDMI appliances via an HDMI link. The
`method further includes monitoring the CEC bus for a
`response issued from the second HDMI appliance in response
`to receipt and execution of the CEC command code. The
`method further includes, if a response is not issued from the
`second HDMI appliance: i) determining an IR command code
`that corresponds to the CEC command code for the second
`HDMI appliance, and ii) transmitting the IR command code
`to the second HDMI appliance to perform a function associ
`ated with the CEC command code. The method further
`includes, ifa response is issued from the second HDMI appli
`ance, not transmitting an IR command code to the second
`HDMI appliance.
`0013. According to a specific embodiment, the method
`further includes not transmitting an IR command code to the
`second HDMI appliance if a response is not issued from the
`second HDMI appliance and if the second HDMI appliance is
`not configured to issue a response for receipt and execution of
`the CEC command code. According to another specific
`embodiment, the method further includes determining
`whether the second HDMI appliance is configured to transmit
`a response for receipt and execution of the CEC command
`code. The determining step may includes receiving from a
`remote database information for whether the second HDMI
`appliance is configured to transmit a response for receipt and
`execution of the CEC command code.
`0014. According to another specific embodiment, the
`method further includes if a response is not issued from the
`second HDMI appliance, then storing failure information in a
`memory for the CEC command code; and if a response is
`issued from the second HDMI appliance, then storing in
`memory pass information for the CEC command code. A
`function of the IR command code matches a function of the
`CEC command code.
`0015. According to one embodiment of the present inven
`tion, a method for building a database of command codes
`includes monitoring a CEC bus for a set of CEC command
`codes transmitted over the CEC bus; and comparing the set of
`CEC command codes transmitted over the CEC bus with sets
`of known CEC command codes for an HDMI appliances that
`received the set of CEC command codes. The method further
`includes identifying a subset of CEC command codes, which
`are included in the set of CEC command codes and which are
`not in the sets of known CEC command codes; and storing the
`Subset of CEC command codes in memory as unrecognized.
`0016. According to a specific embodiment, the method
`further includes transferring the subset of CEC command
`codes to a remote database to query the remote database
`
`whether the CEC command codes in the subset of CEC com
`mand codes are stored in the remote database as recognized.
`According to another specific embodiment, the method fur
`ther includes transferring function information for the subset
`of CEC command codes to the remote-control engine for use
`thereby, if the subset of CEC command codes are included in
`a set of known CEC command codes stored in the remote
`database. According to another specific embodiment, the
`method further includes analyzing the subset of CEC com
`mand codes to determine the functions of the subset of CEC
`command codes, if the Subset of CEC command codes are not
`included in a set of known CEC command codes stored in the
`remote database.
`0017. According to one embodiment of the present inven
`tion, a Volume control method for controlling a Volume of
`Sound output from an appliance configured to receive a media
`stream, the method includes receiving an input at a multi
`media gateway for raising the Volume of Sound output by an
`appliance for a media stream; and raising in the multi-media
`gateway an embedded-digital Volume embedded in the media
`stream. The method further includes thereafter, transmitting
`the media-stream to the appliance for play on the appliance.
`0018. According to a specific embodiment, the method
`further includes if the received input causes the embedded
`digital Volume to be raised by the multi-media appliance to an
`embedded-digital Volume maximum, directing the appliance
`to raise an analog Volume control for the media stream.
`According to another specific embodiment, the method fur
`ther includes if the received input causes the embedded-digi
`tal volume to be raised to a level below the embedded-digital
`Volume maximum, thereafter maintaining the analog Volume
`at a constant level.
`0019. According to another specific embodiment, the
`method further includes receiving a second input at the multi
`media gateway or lowering the Volume of Sound output by the
`appliance; and directing the appliance to lower an analog
`Volume control for the appliance.
`0020 While the foregoing paragraphs of the summary
`section describe several embodiments related to i) linking sets
`of CEC command codes to EDIDs and CEC vendor IDs, ii)
`building CEC command code databases, iii) determining
`CEC command code failures and action taken in view thereof
`(e.g., determining Substitute command codes therefore,
`building a CEC command code database, etc.), the embodi
`ments described herein are not so limited. Specifically,
`embodiments that are described with respect to sets of CEC
`command codes may be equally applied to other sets of com
`mand codes, such as set of IR command code, set of RF
`command codes, etc. For example, the embodiment described
`herein may be applied to linking EDIDs to IR command
`codes, linking CEC vendor IDs to IR command codes, deter
`mining whether IR command codes fail and determining
`alternative command codes therefore. Various embodiment of
`the present invention may be operable with bi-directional and
`two-way wired and wireless protocols (e.g., IP, RF, such as
`BT, etc.) over a standard medium or an open medium.
`0021. These and other benefits of the embodiments of the
`present invention will be apparent from review the following
`specification and attached figures.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0022 FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic of an entertainment
`system according to one embodiment of the present inven
`tion;
`
`

`

`US 2012/024989.0 A1
`
`Oct. 4, 2012
`
`0023 FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic of a remote-control
`system that may be included in a set of the HDMI appliances,
`a multi-media gateway, and/or a remote-control device;
`0024 FIG.3 is a simplified schematic of an entertainment
`system according to another embodiment of the present
`invention;
`0025 FIG. 4 is a high-level flow diagram of a method for
`building a database of command codes according to one
`embodiment of the present invention;
`0026 FIG. 5 is a high-level flow diagram of a method for
`operating a remote-control engine on a remote-control sys
`tem of the multi-media gateway according to one embodi
`ment of the present invention
`0027 FIG. 6 is a high-level flow diagram of a method for
`operating a remote-control engine on a remote-control sys
`tem of the multi-media gateway according to one embodi
`ment of the present invention; and
`0028 FIG. 7 is a high-level flow diagram of a method for
`raising the Volume of sound generated by an appliance so as
`to reduce the signal to noise ration of the Sound.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`0029. The present invention generally provides a remote
`control system. More particularly, embodiments of the
`present invention provide a remote-control system configured
`to operate on a variety of remote control platforms. Such as
`High Definition Multi-Media Interface (HDMI) appliances.
`
`Entertainment System Overview
`0030 FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic of an entertainment
`system 100 according to one embodiment of the present
`invention. Entertainment system 100 includes a set of HDMI
`appliances 105 and a multi-media gateway 110. A set as
`defined herein includes one or more elements. The set of
`HDMI appliances may include an HDMI display 105a and a
`set of HDMI sources 105b. The set of HDMI sources may be
`configured to source media (e.g., audio, video, still images,
`applications, etc.). The set of HDMI sources may include a
`set-top-box (e.g., cable set-top-box, satellite set-top-box,
`etc.), a personal video recorder (PVR), a DVD player (e.g., a
`Blu-rayTM disk player), a computer (desktop, laptop, netbook,
`tablet, PDA, etc.), a Smartphone, a portable media player
`(iPodTM, iPadTM, etc.), a digital camera, a digital video cam
`era, a digital media adapter, etc. According to Some embodi
`ments, two or more of these HDMI sources may be combined
`into a single electronic device. For example, the set-top-box
`may be combined with the PVR, DVD player, etc. The HDMI
`Sources may be configured to source media to multi-media
`gateway 110 and HDMI display 105.a. One or more of the
`HDMI sources may be configured to source media to another
`HDMI source. For example, a set-top-box may bean HDMI
`source for a PVR. Multi-media gateway 110 may be config
`ured to operate the Google TVTM platform and may be a TV
`host. Multi-media gateway 110 may be the Logitech RevueTM
`multi-media gateway.
`0031. According to a further embodiment of the present
`invention, entertainment system 100 includes a remote-con
`trol device 115. Remote-control device 115 may be a hand
`held remote-control device. Such as a universal remote-con
`trol device. The remote-control device may be the remote
`control keyboard of the Logitech RevueTM multi-media
`gateway, a Logitech HarmonyTM Remote Control, a smart
`phone device with a remote-control Software application, etc.
`
`0032. According to another embodiment, entertainment
`system 100 includes a computer 122 or may be configured to
`communicate with computer 122. Computer 122 may include
`a computer memory (hard disk drive, flash memory, optical
`drive, etc.) configured to store computer code. Computer 122
`may also include a display, and a set of input devices, which
`may include a computer keyboard, a mouse, etc. The remote
`control system (e.g., operating on one of the HDMI appli
`ances, the multi-media gateway, or the remote-control
`device) may be configured to communicate with computer
`122 via a wired or wireless connection. For example, the
`remote-control system operating on the multi-media gateway
`may be configured to communicate with computer 122 via an
`Ethernet connection, a coaxial cable connection, a WiFi link
`provided by a local wireless router, Home RF, etc. Remote
`control device 115 may similarly be configured to communi
`cate with computer 122 via a docked connection, a WiFi link
`provided by a wireless router, Home RF, etc.
`0033 Computer 122 may be configured to communicate
`with a remote server 125 via a network 130 (e.g., the Internet).
`A server (e.g., remote server 125) as referred to herein
`includes one or both of a server computer and server software
`(e.g., a server operating system) operating on the server com
`puter. Remote server 125 may include a computer memory
`(hard disk drive, flash memory, optical drive, etc.) configured
`to store computer code. Remote server 125 may also include
`a display, and a set of input devices, which may include a
`computer keyboard, a mouse, etc. Remote server 125 may be
`coupled to a remote database 135. Remote database 135 is
`configured to store sets of command codes, such as sets of IR
`command codes and sets of CEC command codes, which may
`include custom CEC command codes. The remote database is
`also configured to store a “link that associates a set of com
`mand codes with an appliance (e.g., an HDMI appliance) that
`is configured to understand the set of command codes. The
`remote database may store the sets of command codes and the
`links under control of the remote server. For example, the
`remote server may be configured to direct the remote database
`to store a link that associates a given Sony Internet TV with
`the set of command codes (e.g., IR command codes and/or
`CEC command codes) configured to control the Sony Internet
`TV.
`0034. While the foregoing description describes a remote
`database being configured to store sets of command codes,
`links that associate sets of command codes with appliances,
`etc., the sets of command codes, links between set of com
`mand codes, etc., may be alternatively store, or additionally
`stored, in other storage devices, such as the storage devices of
`computer 122, the storage devices of the multi-media gate
`way, any of the HDMI appliances, etc.
`0035. According to some embodiments, the multi-media
`gateway and the circuits therein may be configured to perform
`the methods of operation of computer 122 described above.
`According to an embodiment where the multi-media gateway
`is configured to perform the methods of operation of com
`puter 122, the multi-media gateway may communicate
`directly with the remote server 125 and/or the remote data
`base 135 via the network. According to an embodiment where
`the HDMI display includes computer 122 or is configured to
`perform the methods of computer 122, the HDMI display
`may communicate directly with the remote server 125 and/or
`the remote database 135 via the network.
`0036. According to one embodiment, one or more of the
`HDMI appliances and/or the multi-media gateway may be
`
`

`

`US 2012/024989.0 A1
`
`Oct. 4, 2012
`
`configured to operate as remote-control devices for the other
`HDMI appliances. Each HDMI appliance and the multi-me
`dia gateway may include a remote-control system 140, which
`is configured to run a remote-control engine 145.
`0037 According to a further embodiment, entertainment
`system 100 may includes other HDMI appliances configured
`to play media, such as sound. These other HDMI appliance
`may include speakers, headsets, headphones, in-ear monitors
`etc
`0038 FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic of a remote-control
`system 140 in accordance with an embodiment of the present
`invention that may be included in any or each of the HDMI
`appliances and the multi-media gateway. Remote-control
`system 140 includes a processor 205 (e.g., a microprocessor,
`a controller, such as a microcontroller, control logic, etc.), a
`memory 210, a set of transceivers 210, and a bus 215.
`0039 Memory 210 may be configured to store a local file
`or a local database 220, which includes sets of command
`codes. The sets of command codes in the local file or the local
`database may include at least one set of IR command codes
`(configured to be transmitted in IR or RF). The sets of com
`mand codes in the local file or the local database may also
`include at least one set of Consumer Electronic Control
`(CEC) command codes. The set of CEC command codes may
`be the standard CEC command codes specified by the HDMI
`standard or may be custom CEC command codes, which are
`permitted by the CEC standard. Memory 210 may be also
`configured to store computer code (e.g., compiled computer
`code) for one or more applications executable by the proces
`sor. According to one specific embodiment, memory 210 is
`configured to store an application for remote-control engine
`145, which may include Logitech's Harmony LinkTM engine.
`0040. The set of transceivers 210 may include an IR trans
`ceiver 210a and/oran RF transceiver 210b. An IR transceiver
`in at least one of the HDMI appliances may be configured to
`transmit IR command codes to, and receive IR command
`codes from, other IR transceivers in other HDMI appliances
`or the multi-media gateway. An IR transceiver in the multi
`media gateway may be similarly configured to transmit IR
`command codes to, and receive IR command codes from,
`other IR transceivers in the HDMI appliances. The RF trans
`ceivers in the HDMI appliances and the multi-media gateway
`may be similarly configured to the IR transceivers. According
`to one embodiment, bus 215 includes a CEC bus over which
`CEC command codes may be communicated between the
`HDMI appliances and the multi-media gateway. According to
`one embodiment, the remote-control engine operating on the
`processor is configured to monitor transmission over the CEC
`bus. Monitoring of the CEC bus is described in further detail
`below.
`Elements of a given remote-control system 140 in an
`0041
`HDMI appliance may be shared with other systems in the
`HDMI appliance. Elements of a given remote-control system
`140 in the multi-media gateway may be shared with other
`systems in the multi-media gateway. For example, the pro
`cessor may be configured for use by one or more application
`operating on an HDMI appliance. The bus may similarly be
`configured to be used (i.e., included) in one or more system.
`For example, the CEC bus may be used by the HDMI systems
`in the HDMI appliances.
`0042 FIG.3 is a simplified schematic of an entertainment
`system 300 according to one embodiment of the present
`invention. Entertainment system 300 differs from entertain
`ment system 100 described above in that in entertainment
`
`system 300, multi-media gateway 110 is incorporated in the
`HDMI display and may perform the methods of operation of
`multi-media gateway 110 as described herein. According to
`some embodiment, the HDMI display includes both multi
`media gateway 110 and computer 122 incorporated therein.
`0043 Remote-control device 115 may similarly be con
`figured to include a processor configured to operate the
`remote-control engine and a memory configured to store the
`remote control engine. The memory may also be configured
`to store a local file or a local database where the local file or
`the local database includes sets of command codes. The sets
`of command codes may be sets of IR command codes and sets
`of CEC command codes for controlling the HDMI appli
`ances, the multi-media gateway, and/or other appliances (e.g.,
`non-HDMI appliances). Remote-control device 115 may be
`configured to transmit and receive in IR, RF, etc. and may
`include a communication port for communication of CEC
`command codes. According to one embodiment, the multi
`media gateway is a bridge device for communicating com
`mand codes received from remote-control device 115 to the
`HDMI appliances. The multi-media gateway may be config
`ured to translate command codes, such as translating received
`command codes (e.g., received IR command codes) to CEC
`command codes, or translating received command codes
`(e.g., received IR command codes) to RF command codes.
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/731,086, filed Mar. 24,
`2010, of Saumil Makim et al., describes many embodiments
`of bridge devices configured to translate command codes for
`different communication networks and is incorporated by
`reference in its entirety herein for all purposes.
`Collect the EDID from the HDMI Display
`0044 According to one embodiment, the remote-control
`engine operating on the remote-control system of the multi
`media gateway is configured to collect the Extended Display
`Identification Data (EDID) of HDMI display 105.a. For
`example, the remote-control engine may collect the EDID of
`the HDMI display if the multi-media gateway and HDMI
`display are coupled by an HDMI cable. The remote-control
`engine of the multi-media gateway or the remote control
`device may query the HDMI display via a two-way IR or RF
`communication to collect the EDID. The multi-media gate
`way or the remote-control device may be configured to “link'
`the EDID for the HDMI display with the locally stored set of
`command codes (IR command codes and/or CEC command
`codes) for the HDMI display. The link may be an entry in a
`local memory in a file, database, etc. where the EDID is stored
`with the sets of command codes.
`0045. According to another embodiment, the multi-media
`gateway is configured to transfer the EDID, for example, via
`computer 122 to remote server 125 and remote database 135
`where the EDID may be linked with the sets of command
`codes for the HDMI display. Alternatively, according to the
`embodiment where the multi-media gateway includes com
`puter 122 or is otherwise network enabled, the multi-media
`gateway is configured to transmit the EDID directly to the
`remote server via a network connection. According to another
`embodiment, the EDID is linked locally by the remote-con
`trol engine to the sets of command codes for the HDMI
`display, and then the links are transferred to the remote server
`125 and remote database 135. According to another alterna
`tive embodiment, the HDMI display may be configured to
`transmit its EDID to remote server 125 for storage in remote
`database 135, for example, via computer 122, so that the
`EDID may be linked to the sets of command codes for the
`
`

`

`US 2012/024989.0 A1
`
`Oct. 4, 2012
`
`HDMI display in the remote database. According to a further
`embodiment, the EDID for the HDMI display may also be
`linked to the make (e.g., manufacturer name) and/or the
`model number of the HDMI display in the local memory in
`the multi-media gateway, in the local memory of the remote
`control device, or in remote database 135. The remote-control
`engine operating on one of the HDMI display, the multi
`media gateway, or the remote-control device may collect the
`EDID, transmit the EDID to the remote database, and request
`that above described links be established.
`0046 According to one embodiment, the multi-media
`gateway, the HDMI display, and/or the computer may be
`configured to configure the multi-media gateway. That is, the
`multi-media gateway, the HDMI display, and/or the computer
`may be configured to store computer code on a non-transitory
`memory device for configuring the multi-media gateway. The
`multi-media gateway may be configured by Supplying sets of
`command codes to the multi-media gateway for the appli
`ances that are in entertainment system 100, by setting up user
`preferences, establishing user tracking preferences, etc.
`0047. The make and/or the model number of an HDMI
`appliance or other appliance may be determined by inferring
`the make and/or the model number via user interaction with
`the user's remote-control device, by collecting the make and/
`or the model number from a user, or collecting a make and
`model number from the remote database where the where the
`make and/or model number may be stored and retrieved. The
`make and/or the model number for an HDMI appliance is
`typically determined during a setup process of the remote
`control device, the multi-media gateway, or the HDMI appli
`ance (e.g., at the time the HDMI appliance is added to enter
`tainment system 100). Once a make and/or a model number
`for an appliance is determined, the make and/or the model
`number may be transmitted to the remote se