Patent ID: 6642852
Filing Date: 2003-11-04
Classification: G08C,H04N

Abstract:
In a remote control, a method of commanding at least one of a plurality of appliances to enter into a desired power state, the method comprising:accepting input into the remote control to associate commands with each of the plurality of appliances and to associate at least one power monitor with at least one of the plurality of appliances; receiving a message at the remote control, the message including data indicative of a current power state of the one of the plurality of appliances associated with the at least one power monitor; storing within a memory of the remote control the current power state for the one of the plurality of appliances associated with the at least one power monitor; and in response to activation of a predetermined key of the remote control, automatically performing within the remote control, for each of the plurality of appliances which is to be transmitted a command to place the appliance in a desired power state, the further steps of: determining if the appliance is responsive to discrete power commands or power toggle commands; if the appliance is responsive to discrete power commands, transmitting from the remote control to the appliance a discrete power command, the discrete power command being selected as the discrete power command to which the appliance is adapted to respond to enter the desired power state; and if the appliance is responsive to power toggle commands, further determining if the current power state of the appliance as stored within the memory of the remote control corresponds to the desired power state and, if the current power state does not correspond to the desired power state, transmitting from the remote control to the appliance a power toggle command, the power toggle command selected as the power toggle command to which the appliance is adapted to respond to change power states.