(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2001/0005197 A1
`
` Mishra et al. (43) Pub. Date: Jun. 28, 2001
`
`
`US 20010005197A1
`
`(54) REMOTELY CONTROLLING ELECTRONIC
`DEVICES
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Animesh Mishra, Milpitas, CA (US);
`Jun Shi, San Jose, CA (US); Kenneth
`0 Cum Saramga> CMUS)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`TROP PRUNER & HU, PC
`8554 KATY FREEWAY
`SUITE 100
`HOUSTON, TX 77024 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. NO.:
`
`09/785,919
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Feb. 17, 2001
`
`(63) Continuation Of application NO. 09/216,983, filed on
`Dec. 21, 1998.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`Int. Cl.7 ............................ H04N 7/14; H04M 11/00
`(51)
`(52) U.S.Cl.
`................ 345/100;379/102.03;348/14.05;
`455/1512; 348/734
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A control system enables telephone calls to be answered
`remotely using a remote control unit also adapted to
`remotely control an electronic device such as VCR. A
`processor based station may communicate With a remote
`control unit using both infrared and radio frequency proto-
`cols to enable remote telephone communications and remote
`control Of electronic devices.
`
`[10
`
`
`
`22
`
`
`Roku EX1005
`
`US. Patent No. 7,589,642
`
`Roku EX1005
`U.S. Patent No. 7,589,642
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 28, 2001
`
`Sheet 1 0f 7
`
`US 2001/0005197 A1
`
`[10
`
` 16
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`a-\
`
`1KmFm,mmmmmmSEEm535E62822: mm
`
`mxx»?in22.525.m“E
`
`m
`
`mN.9“.
`
`man
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 28, 2001
`
`Sheet 3 0f 7
`
`US 2001/0005197 A1
`
`-26
`
`Command
`
`Send Signals
`to RCU with Store
`
`FIG. 3
`
`User
`
`Selection
`
`Compare Input
`to Database
`
`issue
`
`Error Display
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 28, 2001
`
`Sheet 4 0f 7
`
`US 2001/0005197 A1
`
`TYPE - Select One:
`
`Other
`
`TV VCR DVD CD
`
`STEREO
`
`FIG. 4A
`
`BRAND - Select One:
`
`X
`
`Y
`
`Z
`
`MODEL - Select One:
`
`R
`
`M
`
`N
`
`0
`
`P
`
`0
`
`FIG. 4C
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 28, 2001
`
`Sheet 5 of 7
`
`US 2001/0005197 A1
`
`118
`
`Prompt for
`Carrier Frequency
`
` 70
`
`72
`
`74
`
`76
`
`78
`
`80
`
`_
`Activate
`
`PLL
`
`.
`RECEIVE
`
`Carrier Info
`
`Set System
`Carrier Frequency
`
`.
`Deactivate
`
`RF
`
`FIG. 5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 28, 2001
`
`Sheet 6 0f 7
`
`US 2001/0005197 A1
`
`RCU-Phone
`
`Ans“
`
`Signal from RCU
`
`Yes
`
`Produce
`
`Error Signal
`
`86
`
`84
`
`Off
`
`HookOSignal
`
`Yes
`
`Off-Hook Signal
`
`Produce
`
`88
`
`Enable
`
`Bidirectional
`
`Communication
`
`
`
`with RCU
`
`
`
`Disable
`
`Signal from RCU
`
`Yes
`
`End
`
`FIG. 6
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 28, 2001
`
`Sheet 7 0f 7
`
`US 2001/0005197 A1
`
`12
`
`Processor
`
`-w/
`AGP
`Systemm
`
`[-106
`
`Graphics
`
`Accelerator AGP
`
`Chipset
`
`Memory
`
`108
`
`112
`
`1
`
`Capture Card
`
`'WMIW%
`
`f1 14
`
`1 16
`
`-
`
`f127
`
`fizz
`
`f726
`
`f124
`
`WWI-E
`
`136
`
`\-138
`
`FIG. 7
`
`

`

`US 2001/0005197 A1
`
`Jun. 28, 2001
`
`REMOTELY CONTROLLING ELECTRONIC
`DEVICES
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0001] This invention relates generally to remotely con-
`trolling electronic devices.
`
`[0002] There are a very large number of commercially
`available remote control units (RCUs) that use an infrared
`signal to control an electronic device such as a television.
`Many users have elaborate systems of consumer electronic
`devices which may or may not be compatible with one
`another. For example, in a home theatre environment, the
`user may have a stereo sound system, a television, a video
`cassette recorder (VCR), a laser disc player and a digital
`video disc player (DVD). The user may desire to control
`each of these devices independently with a single RCU so
`that one device may be played when the others are off. This
`requires programming a number of functions into the RCU
`including on/off, channel change, volume change, program
`VCR and the like.
`
`[0003] With conventional RCUs in systems with a number
`of electronic devices to be controlled,
`the programming
`operation may be extremely elaborate and time consuming.
`The user enters each device and programs the desired
`functionality into the RCU. The situation is complicated by
`the use of Infrared Data Association Control (IrDA-C)
`protocols. These protocols involve bidirectional signals
`which may not be compatible with the legacy infrared
`control signals which are unidirectional infrared signals.
`Thus, different devices may use different infrared protocols
`and may require different command sets to operate them. All
`of this results in complexity to the user in programming the
`remote control to handle all of these possibilities.
`
`[0004] The user may also wish to remotely control a
`computer system that operates in conjunction with a con-
`ventional television receiver. Computer systems, sometimes
`called set-top computer systems, may be of relatively small
`size, in some embodiments, and may be positioned on top of
`a television receiver. The addition of the set-top computer
`system adds still additional programming requirements on
`the remote control, further complicating user programming
`of a universal remote control which handles all of the
`
`the computer
`different electronic devices. For example,
`system may use the bidirectional IrDAprotocols while some
`other electronic devices may use the unidirectional legacy
`protocols.
`
`there is a continuing need for a way to
`[0005] Thus,
`program a remote control unit to handle a variety of elec-
`tronic devices in a fashion which is easy and quick for the
`user.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`In accordance with one aspect, a remote control
`[0006]
`unit includes a control device adapted to remotely control an
`electrical device. The remote control unit also includes a
`
`telephone unit adapted to enable remote communication
`with a telephone unit.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of one embodiment
`in accordance with the invention;
`
`[0008] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a remote control unit
`shown in FIG. 1;
`
`[0009] FIG. 3 is a flow chart for an embodiment such as
`the one shown in FIG. 1;
`
`[0010] FIGS. 4a through 46 are depictions of graphical
`user interfaces useful with the embodiments shown in FIGS.
`1 and 2;
`
`[0011] FIG. 5 is a flow chart for the telephone set-up
`software in one embodiment of the invention;
`
`[0012] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of one embodiment of
`software for enabling telephone communications through a
`remote control unit; and
`
`[0013] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the set-top
`computer system shown in FIG. 1.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0014] A control system 10, shown in FIG. 1, includes a
`processor-based system 12 that communicates with a remote
`control unit (RCU) 18. The system 12 may be a so-called
`set-top computer system that may work together with a
`conventional television receiver 14.
`
`[0015] The RCU 18 may include a display 32, keypad 34
`and a joy stick type navigation control 44. In addition, the
`RCU 18 may include a telephone off hook button 46 and
`buttons 50 and 52 that act as “on” and “off” controls for
`dedicated electronic devices
`such as
`the audio/visual
`receiver 16.
`
`[0016] The RCU 18 may also communicate with a tele-
`phone base station 20 which may be coupled to a telephone
`line. The RCU 18 may include a telephone receiver. The
`RCU 18 may include buttons which enable the user to
`receive an incoming call through the RCU and to provide an
`off hook signal. The RCU 18 may communicate with the
`system 12 and a radio-frequency telephone base station 20
`using radio-frequency technology. For example, a 27 MHZ
`or a 900 MHZ carrier frequency may be used.
`
`[0017] Thus, when an incoming telephone call is detected,
`the RCU 18 may “answer” the telephone call either by
`communicating using a radio-frequency system with the
`base station 20 (with the telephone receiver removed) or the
`system 12. While a radio-frequency based system is illus-
`trated, other wireless and wired techniques may be used as
`well including infrared techniques.
`
`[0018] The RCU 18 may communicate with the system 12
`using wireless communication such as infrared or radio-
`frequency links. The infrared link may use the IrDA-C
`bidirectional signals as one example. The system 12 may
`communicate with the RCU 18 using a wired or wireless
`communication of the type described previously.
`
`[0019] A repeater may be provided in the RCU 18. The
`repeater, in one embodiment of the invention, may receive
`an IrDA-C bidirectional infrared signal and selectively out-
`put either a bidirectional or a unidirectional infrared signal.
`Since many infrared controlled electronic devices, such as
`televisions and VCRs, use unidirectional infrared systems,
`in some embodiments it is advantageous to convert the
`bidirectional signal
`to a unidirectional signal using a
`repeater provided,
`for example, by the RCU 18. For
`example, communication between the system 12 and RCU
`
`

`

`US 2001/0005197 A1
`
`Jun. 28, 2001
`
`18 may use bidirectional protocols while commands issued
`by the RCU 18 to the device 16 may use the unidirectional
`protocol.
`
`[0020] Having received a command signal from the RCU
`18, the system 12 can translate the command into a format
`appropriate for controlling a particular device 16. That is, it
`is not necessary to program the RCU 18 independently.
`Instead, a variety of codes may be stored in the system 12.
`The user may be called upon to indicate the type of devices
`which need to be controlled. When the RCU transmits a
`
`signal corresponding to a known function (which signal may
`not be particularly adapted to work any particular device),
`the system 12 can translate that signal and send information
`back to the RCU 18 to enable the RCU 18 to control the
`
`particular device the RCU 18 is to operate.
`
`In this way, it is not necessary to undergo elaborate
`[0021]
`programming of the RCU 18, but instead, databases within
`the system 12 may contain information about how a con-
`ventional device 16 may be operated. In addition, the RCU
`18 may be used not only to control device 16 but also to
`answer the telephone 20 as well.
`
`[0022] Referring to FIG. 2, the RCU 18 may include a
`display 32 which in one embodiment of the invention may
`be a liquid crystal display. It may be useful, for example, for
`displaying the telephone number dialed from the RCU 18. A
`controller 26 may be coupled to a memory 39 and may be
`responsible for controlling the display 32 as well as an RF
`transceiver 30. The controller 26 may be processor-based
`and may be a microcontroller or a microprocessor, as
`examples. The RF transceiver 30 may send radio frequency
`voice information to the telephone base station 20 or to the
`system 12. The transceiver,
`in one embodiment of the
`invention, uses an internal antenna 29 that may be built into
`the RCU 18. The IR transceiver 28 may be used to com-
`municate with the system 12 using a bidirectional infrared
`protocol such as the IrDA-C protocol in one embodiment of
`the invention. The IR transmitter 35 may be used to com-
`municate with legacy devices 16 using a unidirectional
`protocol in one embodiment.
`
`[0023] The controller 26 may also control the keypad 34
`for allowing user input commands. A microphone 36 and
`speaker 38 enable telephone functions. A clock 37 and
`battery power supply 41 may also be provided. The power
`supply 41 may be removably coupled to a recharger 43 that
`may be contained, for example, in the system 12. While
`coupled to the system 12, the RCU 18 may be recharged.
`Advantageously, in some embodiments, RCU subsystems
`may enter a powered down mode when not in use. For
`example, the internal IR repeater modules 28 and 35 (if
`provided) may be powered down during RF (telephone)
`communications and vice versa.
`
`[0024] Aphase locked loop device 27 may be used to tune
`the RF transceiver 30 to a particular wireless telephone
`technology. For example,
`the user may be prompted to
`indicate what wireless technology (if any) is currently being
`used in the user’s existing telephone system. For example,
`the user may then enter information that the user’s telephone
`system uses a particular carrier frequency such as 27 MHZ
`or 900 MHZ.
`
`[0025] The PLL 27 is tuned to the particular frequency
`used by the model and brand of wireless telephone currently
`
`owned by the user. This tuning may be done in a number of
`ways. As one example, the page feature on many wireless
`phones may be activated to produce an RF carrier tone. The
`PLL 27 then frequency locks on the particular frequency of
`the user’s telephone. The transceiver communicates this
`frequency to the system 12 which locks to the same fre-
`quency. In this way, existing wireless telephones may be
`used with the system 12.
`
`[0026] Referring now to FIG. 3, set-up software 26, which
`may be resident on the system 12, for allowing automatic
`control of electronic devices may begin in one embodiment
`of the invention by determining whether a master (which
`may be the system 12) has been turned on by a slave (which
`may be the RCU 18) as determined in diamond 328. If so,
`the receiver 14 or another display device may be caused to
`display a configuration menu, as indicated at block 338.
`
`If the master has not been turned on by the slave,
`[0027]
`a check at diamond 333 determines whether a preset time
`limit has been exceeded. If not, the flow cycles back to wait
`for the operation of the master by the slave. If the time
`period has been exceeded, a check at diamond 335 deter-
`mines whether a prompt should be provided. If the elapsed
`time exceeds still another limit,
`the prompt may not be
`provided and the flow may be terminated.
`
`the prompt may be provided (block
`[0028] Otherwise,
`336) as a graphical user interface, for example, asking the
`user to operate the master using the remote control. This may
`involve turning the master back off and operating it “on”
`using the remote control.
`
`[0029] The configuration menu may allow the user to
`input the type of devices which the user wishes to automati-
`cally control using the RCU 18. For example, referring to
`FIG. 4a, a graphical user interface, displayed on the tele-
`vision receiver 14, may ask the user to input the type of
`device, be it a TV, a VCR, a DVD, a CD or a stereo system.
`Otherwise,
`the user can input “other” and an additional
`drop-down menu may be provided or the user may be asked
`for additional information.
`
`[0030] Once the user has selected the device type, in one
`embodiment of the invention, the system may automatically
`provide a list of common manufacturers of the type of device
`selected using a database provided with the system 12, as
`illustrated in FIG. 4b. Again, the user has the option to select
`“other”, and when “other” is selected, the system may either
`access additional information or display an additional menu
`of other manufacturers.
`
`[0031] Referring to FIG. 4c, a graphical user interface
`may also ask the user to select from among the models
`available for the given type of device and the selected
`manufacturer. The user again may select the desired option
`or may be provided with additional options by selecting the
`“other” option.
`
`[0032] The user may input the selections using the RCU
`18. This may be done using a mouse style pointing system
`or, if desired, each potential selection may be associated
`with a number or a letter which then may be entered using
`the keypad provided on the RCU 18.
`
`[0033] Referring back to FIG. 3, at diamond 340 a check
`determines whether the user has made all of the required
`selections. If so, each selection is compared to a database of
`
`

`

`US 2001/0005197 A1
`
`Jun. 28, 2001
`
`the
`known information (block 342). From the database,
`required remote control codes can be determined by the
`system. If there is no user selection and a time period has
`elapsed (diamond 344), a check at diamond 346 determines
`whether to provide a prompt (block 348).
`
`If each of the selections matches an existing data-
`[0034]
`base entry (diamond 350), the appropriate signal informa-
`tion is sent to the RCU 18 by the system 12 (block 353). In
`other words, the RCU 18 may be provided with protocols to
`control a given device. Referring to FIG. 1, the information
`may be provided along the path 24 from the system 12 to the
`RCU 18, thereby enabling the RCU 18 to control the device
`16 as indicated at 22. The RCU 18 may also be commanded
`to store the information in an appropriate format on the RCU
`18.
`
`If the user selections do not match any existing
`[0035]
`database entries for known devices, a network check may be
`initiated as indicated at diamond 354. In this case, the system
`12 may communicate with an external network, for example
`over a modem connection, to determine whether additional
`information is available. This modem connection may con-
`nect to an additional database, for example over a direct
`telephone link to a server or over the Internet. In such case,
`additional information about the requested device may be
`downloaded to the system 12 allowing the system 12 to
`proceed, as indicated in block 353, to provide the RCU with
`the desired information. If no such information can be
`
`located, a graphical user interface indicating an error con-
`dition may be displayed, as indicated at block 356. In this
`case, the user may be prompted to program the device in the
`conventional fashion since the system is unable to automati-
`cally provide the information to the RCU 18.
`
`In some embodiments, the tedious task of program-
`[0036]
`ming the various devices may be performed in an automated
`fashion using the databases and software associated with the
`system 12. This operation may occur seamlessly and without
`substantial user involvement
`in the programming of the
`RCU 18.
`
`[0037] The RCU 18 may operate in one of at least two
`different fashions. The RCU may have dedicated buttons
`that correspond to particular controlled devices. For
`example, the RCU may contain a button that is labeled “TV.”
`When the TV button is pushed, the appropriate commands
`are sent to the master informing the master that the user now
`wishes to control the TV. The next button that is pushed, for
`example,
`the channel up button, causes the appropriate
`command to be sent to the master telling it, for example, that
`the user wishes to go to the next highest channel. The master
`in turn sends the RCU the necessary codes to increment the
`channel on the TV. The RCU then takes these codes and
`
`infrared
`sends them, for example using a unidirectional
`signal, to the TV using the protocols stored in the RCU’s
`memory.
`
`the RCU may contain sufficient
`[0038] Alternatively,
`memory that the master may send the RCU both the proto-
`cols and the necessary codes to control the devices. The
`RCU saves this information in its local memory. Then, when
`the user wishes to change the channel on the TV, the user
`pushes the TV button and this causes the RCU to enter a
`mode which controls the TV using the pre-sent protocols.
`Then, when the user pushes the channel up or other control
`button, the remote control may fetch the necessary codes
`
`from local memory and send a unidirectional infrared mes-
`sage, for example, using the protocol that is also stored
`locally on the RCU.
`
`[0039] The difference between the two approaches is that
`in the first case, the master feeds the information to the RCU
`each time the RCU needs information. In the second case,
`the master feeds the information needed to do all
`the
`
`different controls for a given device initially, and then the
`device handles those protocols on its own. In one embodi-
`ment of the invention, the information may be provided from
`the master to the RCU each time the system is operated so
`that it is not necessary to discard the information when it is
`desired to switch controlled devices.
`
`In the telephone set-up mode (FIG. 5), the user is
`[0040]
`prompted (block 70), using a graphical user interface for
`example, to input a radio carrier wave frequency, which
`might be, for example 27 MHZ or 900 MHZ as conventional
`examples. The user may be prompted to input this informa-
`tion directly or alternatively to input wireless telephone
`brand and model
`information. This information may be
`transmitted from the RCU to the system 12. At the system
`12, the telephone data may be compared to a database that
`correlates model and brand information to carrier frequency.
`
`the user may be prompted to generate a
`[0041] Next,
`signal from the user’s wireless telephone system (block 72).
`This may be done, for example, by operating the page
`feature and activating the PLL lock circuit 27 (block 74).
`The RCU 18 may detect the page and automatically analyze
`its carrier frequency using a PLL lock circuit 27,
`for
`example. The carrier frequency information may then be
`transmitted to the system 12. Even if the user inputs model
`and brand information it may be desirable in some cases to
`tune the lock circuit to the actual carrier frequency.
`
`[0042] The system 12, having identified the carrier fre-
`quency of the user’s existing wireless telephone system
`(block 76), may then cause the system 12 (and RCU 18) to
`adapt to the frequency of the existing system (block 78).
`This may be useful, for example, in allowing the system to
`operate through an existing telephone base station as
`desired, for example, when the system 12 is out of range.
`Once the system 12 is tuned to the existing wireless tele-
`phone system (if any), the RF sections of the RCU may be
`deactivated for power saving (block 80).
`
`[0043] When a telephone call is received, the system 12
`awaits a command from the RCU to answer the call as
`indicated at diamond 82 in FIG. 6. Once the command is
`
`received, the system 12 may determine whether an off hook
`signal has already been provided (diamond 84), for example
`by someone else picking up the handset of another tele-
`phone. If so, the user may be notified (block 86).
`
`the system 12 produces an off hook
`[0044] Otherwise,
`signal (block 88) and enables bidirectional communication
`with the RCU (block 90). This may be done, for example, by
`activating the RF transceiver 30 of the RCU. The user may
`then use the RCU as a telephone handset.
`
`[0045] When the user has completed the call, a button 46
`may be operated terminating the call (diamond 92). This
`information is transmitted, by an IR command signal, for
`example, to the system 12 which disables the off hook signal
`and returns the telephone system to a state to receive an
`incoming call.
`
`

`

`US 2001/0005197 A1
`
`Jun. 28, 2001
`
`[0046] The system 12 may be equipped with a caller
`identification delivery (CID) decoder. Information about the
`source of the incoming call may be displayed on the tele-
`vision receiver and on the display 32, for example. To make
`an outgoing call the switch 48 may be operated and a signal
`is sent to the system 12 which produces as off hook signal
`and makes a connection to a telephone network.
`
`[0047] Referring now to FIG. 7, an example of a system
`for providing the capabilities described previously may
`involve either a computer, a television receiver, a set-top
`computer system or another appliance. The illustrated sys-
`tem 12 includes a processor 100 coupled to an accelerated
`graphics port (AGP) chipset 106. AGP is described in detail
`in the Accelerated Graphics Port Interface Specification,
`revision 2.0, published in 1998 by Intel Corporation of Santa
`Clara, Calif.
`
`[0048] The AGP chipset 102 may in turn be coupled to
`system memory 104 and a graphics accelerator 106. The
`graphics accelerator 106 may be coupled to a TV receiver
`14.
`
`[0049] The chipset 102 may also coupled a bus 108 which
`in turn may be coupled to a TV tuner/capture card 110. The
`tuner/capture card 110 may be coupled to a television input
`112. The input 112 may, for example be a conventional TV
`antenna, a satellite antenna, a cable connection, or other
`television inputs. The card 110 may receive television sig-
`nals in one video format and may convert them into a format
`used by the system 12.
`
`[0050] The bus 108 may also be coupled to another bridge
`114 which in turn couples a hard disk drive 116. The hard
`disk drive 116 may store the software 26, the software 118
`for the telephone setup and the software 120 necessary to
`download additional information from a network.
`
`[0051] The bridge 114 may be coupled to a bus 115 in turn
`coupled to a Serial Input/Output (SIO) device 122 and a
`Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) 124. The SIO device 122
`may interface to a mouse 126 and a keyboard 128, and IR
`interface 130 and RF interface 132. The IR interface 130
`
`couples the system 12 to the RCU 18. The infrared interface
`130 may, for example, be in accordance with the Infrared
`Data Association protocols such as, for example, the Serial
`Infrared Physical Layer Link Specification, version 1.2,
`dated Nov. 30, 1997.
`
`[0052] The RF interface 132 may be coupled to an antenna
`for RF communications with the RCU 18. The interface 132
`
`may include a PLL 134 that may be tuned to the carrier
`frequency of the user’s existing wireless telephone. Alter-
`natively, the PLL 134 may be tuned to a frequency detected
`by the RCU 18 or to a frequency provided by the user.
`
`[0053] The bus 115 may also coupled a network interface
`which may include a voice modem that may be coupled to
`a telephone line. In one embodiment, the interface 127 may
`also include a caller identity delivery (CID) detector 136 and
`a device 138 for producing an off hook signal to a telephone
`network.
`
`[0054] The graphical user interfaces described herein are
`visual representations of memory states. The graphical user
`interfaces displayed on the display 14 may be stored in a
`memory such as one or more of the memories 104 or 116.
`
`[0055] While the present invention has been described
`with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those
`skilled in the art will appreciate numerous modifications and
`variations therefrom. It is intended that the appended claims
`cover all such modifications and variations as fall within the
`
`true spirit and scope of the present invention.
`What is claimed is:
`
`1. A remote control unit comprising:
`
`a control device adapted to remotely control an electronic
`device; and
`
`a telephone unit adapted to enable remote communication
`with a telephone network.
`2. The remote control unit of claim 1 wherein said control
`device includes:
`
`a receiver that receives an infrared command signal in a
`first format; and
`
`a transmitter that transmits an infrared command signal in
`a second format.
`3. The remote control unit of claim 1 wherein said
`
`telephone unit includes a transceiver adapted to remotely
`communicate with a telephone network.
`4. The remote control unit of claim 3 wherein said
`
`transceiver is a radio frequency transceiver tunable to the
`carrier frequency used by another wireless telephone.
`5. The remote control unit of claim 4 wherein said
`
`telephone unit includes a device which is automatically
`tuned to the carrier frequency of another wireless telephone.
`6. The remote control unit of claim 1 including a repeater
`for forwarding a wireless transmission received by a first
`device to an electrical device.
`
`7. A remote control system for an electronic device
`comprising:
`
`a first device including a processor and a radio frequency
`transceiver and an infrared transceiver, said processor
`arranged to control said infrared and radio-frequency
`transceivers; and
`
`including a device adapted to
`a remote control unit
`remotely control an electronic device and a telephone
`unit adapted to enable remote communication with a
`telephone network.
`8. The remote control system of claim 7 wherein said
`telephone unit
`includes
`a
`radio frequency transceiver
`adapted to remotely communicate with said telephone net-
`work.
`
`9. The remote control system of claim 8 wherein said
`transceiver is tunable to the carrier frequency used by
`another wireless telephone.
`10. The remote control system of claim 9 wherein said
`telephone unit includes a device which is automatically
`tuned to the frequency of another wireless telephone.
`11. The remote control system of claim 7 including a
`repeater for forwarding a wireless transmission received
`from the first device to said electronic device.
`
`12. The remote control system of claim 7 wherein said
`first device and said remote control unit are adapted to
`communicate both by radio frequency and infrared signals.
`13. The remote control system of claim 12 wherein said
`first device and said remote control unit communicate via
`
`bidirectional infrared signals and said remote control unit
`communicates with said electronic device using unidirec-
`tional infrared signals.
`
`

`

`US 2001/0005197 A1
`
`Jun. 28, 2001
`
`14. The remote control system of claim 7 wherein said
`remote control unit is adapted to act as radio frequency
`transceiver for telephone communications with said first
`device.
`
`15. The remote control system of claim 7 wherein said
`first device is a set-top computer system.
`16. A method of completing a telephone call comprising:
`
`enabling a user to receive a telephone call on a remote
`control unit; and
`
`enabling the user to control an electronic device using
`said remote control unit.
`
`17. The method of claim 16 further including using a
`processor based system that detects an incoming call and
`produces an off hook signal.
`18. The method of claim 17 further including converting
`signals from a telephone network into radio frequency
`signals and transmitting said signals to the remote control
`unit.
`
`19. The method of claim 18 further including detecting
`the carrier frequency of a proximate wireless telephone and
`adopting said frequency as the carrier frequency for com-
`munications with said remote control unit.
`
`20. An article comprising a medium for storing instruc-
`tions that cause a processor based system to:
`
`enable a user to receive a telephone call on a remote
`control unit; and
`
`enable the user to control an electronic device using said
`remote control unit.
`
`21. The article of claim 20 including instructions that
`cause a processor based system to prompt for a wireless
`telephone carrier frequency.
`22. The article of claim 20 including instructions that
`cause a processor based system to prompt the user to issue
`a page from the user’s wireless telephone.
`23. The article of claim 20 including instructions that
`cause a processor based system to use the carrier frequency
`of another wireless telephone.
`24. The article of claim 20 including instructions that
`cause a processor based system to produce a telephone off
`hook signal when an incoming call is detected.
`25. The article of claim 20 including instructions that
`cause a processor based system to receive infrared command
`signals in one format and to transmit infrared command
`signals in a second format.
`
`