Patent ID: 8525651
Filing Date: 2013-09-03
Classification: G08C,H04B,H04N

Abstract:
1. A method for pairing a radio frequency (RF) remote control with a controlled media device, the method comprising: detecting presence of a radio frequency identifier (RFID) tag in a first interrogation zone established by a first RFID tag reader that is a component of the controlled media device configured to receive broadcasted media content, wherein the RFID tag resides in or is affixed to the RF remote control configured to operate the controlled media device by received by the controlled media device; automatically initiating a pairing process between the controlled media device and the RF remote control in response to detecting a presence of the RFID tag in the first interrogation zone of the first RFID tag reader; completing the pairing process between the RF remote control and the controlled media device, wherein the pairing process identifies a unique identifier associated with the RF remote control; detecting presence of the RFID tag in a second interrogation zone established by a second RFID tag reader that is a component of a media content presentation device, wherein the media content presentation device is configured to present the broadcasted media content received from the controlled media device, wherein the RF remote control is configured to operate the media content presentation device by communicating a second plurality of RF signals that are received by the media content presentation device and wherein the second plurality of RF signals are different than the first plurality of RF signals; automatically initiating a pairing process between the media content presentation device and the RF remote control in response to detecting a presence of the RFID tag in the second interrogation zone of the media content presentation device; and completing the pairing process between the RF remote control and the controlled media device, wherein the pairing process identifies the unique identifier associated with the RF remote control, wherein during concurrent operation of the controlled media device and the media content presentation device, a subsequently received RF signal emitted by the RF remote control that is received by the controlled media device and the media content presentation device includes at least one command configured to control operation of the controlled media device and includes the unique identifier of the RF remote control, wherein when the subsequently received RF signal is one of the first plurality of RF signals, the controlled media device is controlled, and wherein when the subsequently received RF signal is one of the second plurality of RF finals, the media content presentation device is controlled.