Abstract:
The invention teaches remote control device for reassigning functions associated with one key to another key, wherein the functions are stored in memory. In one embodiment the remote control comprises a memory and a plurality of function instructions stored in the memory, including a first function instruction and a second function instruction. A plurality of keys, including a first key, is operably connected to execute the first function instruction. Reassignment programming is stored in memory and provides for connecting the first key such that it will execute the second function instruction instead of the first function.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/990,854, filed Dec. 11, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,014,092 which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/913,523 filed Jul. 14, 1992, which is abandoned and is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/586,957 filed Sep. 24, 1990 which is abandoned and is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/127,999 filed Dec. 2, 1987 which issued U.S. Pat. No. 4,959,810 on Sep. 25, 1990 which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/109,336 filed Oct. 14, 1987 which is abandoned. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a remote control of the type which is hand held and which can be coupled via coded infrared signals with a remote control receiver built into a television or other remotely controlled electrical apparatus to turn on the apparatus, such as the television, at a distance, to adjust the volume, tone and brightness, to change channels, to turn the television off and to perform other functions, and more specifically to a remote control wherein functions can be moved or transferred to different keys or pushbuttons for the convenience of the user. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Heretofore it has been proposed to provide a reconfigurable remote control device and programmable functions for such a remote control device which will enable one to learn, store and retransmit infrared codes that are emitted from the remote control device for a remotely controlled apparatus, such as a television. 
     For example, in the Welles II U.S. Pat. No. 4,623,887 and the Ehlers U.S. Pat. No. 4,626,848, there is disclosed a reconfigurable remote control device which has the ability to learn, store and repeat remote control codes from any other infrared transmitter. Such a reconfigurable remote control transmitter device includes an infrared receiver, a microprocessor, a non-volatile random access memory (RAM), a scratch pad random access memory, and an infrared transmitter. 
     According to the teachings of the Ehlers patent, the infrared signals received by the remote control device are in bursts of pulses and the device counts the number of pulses in each burst as well as the time duration of each pause in a transmission between bursts. 
     The Darbee et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,959,810, of which this application is a Continuation-in-Part, discloses a universal remote control device having terminals for enabling code data to be supplied from outside the device through the terminals and a CPU to a RAM or ROM in the device. 
     Hand held remote controls of necessity have a finite number of keys and, because of the diversity of possible target devices, cannot offer a dedicated key for every possible function or feature. 
     Accordingly, dedicated keys are generally only provided for those functions which are common to almost all devices (e.g. Power, Volume, Channel Up/Down, etc.). 
     One approach to allowing a customer access to those special functions which are unique to his particular brand of remote control device (e.g. tracking or color adjustment, picture-in-picture, etc.) is to provide, in addition to the “standard” keys, a number of generic keys labeled, for example, A, B, C, D, etc. together with a booklet which lists, by brand and model, what functions are available on those keys as disclosed in the Darbee et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,959,810. 
     The disadvantage of this method is that the number of keys is still quite limited, so the manufacturer of the universal remote control device usually has to select by brand and model which special functions are or are not offered. 
     Another approach is to provide a special key which, when pressed, allows a multi-key entry sequence to access any one of a large library of special functions. For example, pressing an “A” key followed by two digits (A-n-n) would provide access to up to 100 special, or “extended” functions. The disadvantage of this method is that it requires the user of the device to press the standard keys or pushbuttons multiple times in order to access any of these extended functions. 
     As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the remote control device of the present invention overcomes the foregoing disadvantages by including, in the operating program for the remote control device, executable programs or routines which permit the individual user to assign any desired function to almost any key on the keypad. The user is thus able to individually customize his particular device so that his most frequently accessed functions are single keystrokes and/or in the most convenient locations on the keypad. 
     The executable routines or programs also allow the user to reassign keys “across devices”. For example, if a user plays his TV sound through a stereo amplifier, he may wish to reassign the “MUTE” key such that, when his remote control device is switched to TV mode, the mute signal sent in response to the button is that of the stereo amplifier, not that of the TV. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention there is provided a remote control device comprising: a microprocessor including a CPU and a memory; a keypad including a set of keys coupled to the microprocessor; lamp driver circuitry coupled to the microprocessor; circuitry for generating IR signals coupled to the IR lamp driver circuitry; code data for executing command functions for a plurality of devices of different manufacturers stored in the memory; a Key Reassignment table in the memory containing key identity function data for those keys which have been reassigned by the user; and a program stored in the memory for reassigning a different function for the same or different device to a key on the keypad upon the inputting of a predetermined keystroke sequence on the keypad. 
     Further according to the present invention there is provided a method for reassigning a key function to a key on a keypad in a remote control device of the type described above comprising the steps of: entering a predetermined keystroke sequence on the keypad; determining if the predetermined keystroke sequence is a command to perform special function processing to reassign to a key a function of a device to be controlled; determining if a function key has been depressed; storing the key identity and current mode into a “FROM” entry in the Key Reassignment Table; determining if the next key depressed is a mode key; setting the new mode; determining if a function sequence of keystrokes has been entered on the keypad for a valid function for the device and mode selected; obtaining device TYPE and command function data corresponding to the function and mode selected from the Key Reassignment Table; and, storing the data in a “TO” entry in the Key Reassignment Table, thereby establishing a “FROM=TO” relationship between the physical key (“FROM”) and the new, reassigned, function which it is to perform (“TO”). 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a remote control device constructed according to the teachings of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the control device shown in FIG.  1  and shows the various keys or pushbuttons of the device. 
     FIG. 3 is a block electrical schematic circuit diagram of the remote control device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the steps performed by a key reassignment program entitled KEY MOVER: NORMAL FUNCTION. 
     FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the steps performed in the execution of a program for reassignment of a key function entitled KEY MOVER: KEY REASSIGNMENT. 
     FIG. 6 is a table showing the a Key Reassignment Table of the KEY MOVER program. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to FIG. 1 in greater detail, there is illustrated therein a remote control device  10  constructed according to the teachings of the present invention. 
     As shown, the device  10  includes a housing  11  including an upper housing member  12  having a base panel  14 , and a lower housing member  16 . An overlay face panel  18  is positioned over the base panel  14  and has a keyboard layout, i.e. keypad,  20  on the outer surface thereof. 
     The two panels  14  and  18  have openings therethrough for receiving elastomeric pushbuttons  25 , for the keypad  20 , all of which extend from and are fixed to or integral with an elastomeric body panel. 
     The pushbuttons  25  are arranged in rows and columns and are identified as follows on the keypad  20 : 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 VCR 
                 AUX 
                 CABLE 
                 TV 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 C 
                 POWER 
               
               
                   
                 1 
                 2 
                 3 
                 MUTE 
               
               
                   
                 4 
                 5 
                 6 
               
               
                   
                 7 
                 8 
                 9 
               
               
                   
                   
                 0 
                   
                 VOL 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 ENTER 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 RECALL 
                 CH 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 PAUSE 
                 PLAY 
               
               
                   
                 REC 
                 * 
                 TV-VCR 
                 STOP 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     This arrangement is shown in FIG. 2, and the manner in which these pushbuttons  25  are utilized in operating the control device  10  will be described in greater detail hereinafter. 
     At a top or forward end of the device  10  there is provided an opening  30  for two light emitting diodes LED  1  and LED  2 . The opening  30  is covered by an infrared-transparent lens  31 . Also provided on a top surface  32  of the upper housing member  12  of the control device  10  is a light emitting diode, LED  3 , by which information is communicated to the user of the device  10 . 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of the keyboard or keypad  20  and shows the different keys or pushbuttons  25  of the control device  10  extending through the base panel  14  of upper housing member  12  and the face panel  18  where the label or identification for each pushbutton or key  25  is shown. The light emitting diode LED  3  is also indicated. 
     FIG. 3 is a block electrical schematic circuit diagram of the operating circuitry  36  in the remote control device  10  which includes a microprocessor  38 , including a RAM  40 , a ROM  42  and a CPU  44 . The keypad  20  is coupled to the microprocessor  38  by an interrupt line  46  and a bus  48  TO to the CPU  44 . 
     A power supply in the form of a battery  50  is connected between a + voltage input  51  to the microprocessor  38  and a system ground  52 . A backup battery  56  is connected through a diode  58  to the + voltage input  51  to maintain the data stored in the memory  42  and/or  44  to provide a non-volatile system. 
     A reset circuit  60  is coupled to the microprocessor  38 , as shown. 
     An output of the CPU  44  is connected to an IR lamp driver circuit  62  which outputs a voltage to the two light emitting diodes LED  1  and LED  2 . 
     The status indicating LED  3  is connected to an input of the microprocessor  38 . 
     The electrical circuitry  36  is generally of the type disclosed in greater detail in the Darbee et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,959,810, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     The operating program for the remote control device  10  which is stored in the ROM  42  or RAM  40  is very similar to the operating programs disclosed in the Darbee et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,959,810, incorporated herein by reference, with the exception of the KEY MOVER routine or program described below, for moving or assigning a selected function to a selected key. 
     With reference to FIG. 4, in the normal operation of the KEY MOVER program, whenever a key is struck, the program determines whether or not it was the mode key and if it was then the mode of operation is changed. 
     If it was not, the program then determines whether it was the “A” key. If it was, a “Shift” status is set, enabling the program to “remember” during subsequent key presses that the “A” key had been struck. 
     If the answer is “No”, the program then determines if the “B” key has been struck and the “Shift” status is in effect, and if the answer is “Yes”, the program enters the special function processing mode for reassigning a key which is described in greater detail below and in connection with the description of FIG.  5 . 
     This special function processing in the reassign mode of operation of the remote control device  10  allows the operator to reassign FUNCTION keys by typing on the keypad  20 : 
     A-B-C- 9 - 9 - 9 &lt;From Func&gt;&lt;To Func&gt;. 
     Thus, one can customize his/her keyboard or keypad  20 . 
     If the user wants keys from a different mode (device) to replace existing keys, that can be done by typing on the keypad  20 : 
     [From Mode] A-B-C- 9 - 9 - 9 &lt;From Func&gt;[To Mode] &lt;To Func&gt;. 
     For example, if one wants Volume Up (VL+) from a CD to replace Volume Up for a TV, the user will type on the keypad  20 : 
     TV A-B-C- 9 - 9 - 9  VL+CD VL+ 
     Now, whenever the user is in the TV mode, pressing Volume Up will raise the volume on the CD player, not the TV. One can also make it so that the TV volume operates normally, but pressing keys: 
     A VL+ 
     will operate the CD volume. 
     This is accomplished by typing on the keypad  20 : 
     TV A-B-C- 9 - 9 - 9  A VL+CD VL+ 
     A very desirable feature of the KEY MOVER program is that it allows one ready access to “extended” functions that would otherwise require several keystrokes. For example, if the remote control device  10  is of the type disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/913,523 entitled: REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE WITH FUNCTION SYNTHESIS and where, to effect Color Up, one has to type on the keypad  20 : 
     A- 6 - 3 - 8 , 
     one can move that function to the Channel Up key by typing: 
     TV A-B-C- 9 - 9 - 9  A CH+A- 6 - 3 - 8 . 
     Now, pressing CH+ will change channels on the TV normally, but pressing A CH+ will send Color Up. 
     One can assign alternate functions to any key except the mode (device) keys or the “A” key. 
     Returning to the program, if the pressing of the “B” key and setting of the “Shift” status have not occurred, the program then determines whether a DIGIT (number) key has been depressed and whether the “Shift” status is in effect. 
     If the answer is “Yes”, extended function processing is performed such as synthesizing of an alternate or extended function in the manner described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/913,523 entitled: REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE WITH FUNCTION SYNTHESIS, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     If the answer was “No” to the question of whether a DIGIT (number) key has been struck and “Shift” status is in effect, the program scans the “FROM” entries in a Key Reassignment Table for a match on key number,“Shift” status and mode. Then, a determination is made to see if a match has been found. If a match is found, then the device data format and command=data from the corresponding “TO” entry in the Key Reassignment Table is sent to the IR lamp driver circuit  62  and to the IR code is transmitted based on that device data format and command data settings. 
     If no match was found, then the current mode&#39;s standard data for that key number and device data format is sent to the IR lamp driver circuit  62  to cause the IR code to be transmitted on the standard device ID and command data setting. 
     After the IR code is transmitted, as well as after the performance of the special function and the extended function (synthesis), the “Shift” status is cleared. 
     Stated in a simplified way, whenever a key is struck, the KEY MOVER routine or program illustrated in FIG. 4, after checking for the striking of special keys or functions, begins by scanning a special table, the Key Reassignment Table, in memory. This table is for all keys which have been reassigned. If a match is found, the program extracts from the second part of the table entry the device data format and command information to be sent in lieu of the standard assigned function for that key and mode. 
     If no match is found, the standard device data format and command data are used. 
     The special KEY MOVER function program, protocol or subroutine is illustrated in FIG.  5  and starts with the detection of a key sequence, such as A-B-C- 9 - 9 - 9 . 
     Then, it is determined whether the next key pressed was “A”. 
     If “Yes”, then the “Shift” bit is set in the Key Reassignment Table and the program waits for the depression of another key. 
     Next, the program determines if a function key has been depressed. If “No”, the program goes to exit. 
     If “Yes”, the key number and current mode are stored into a “FROM” entry in the Key Reassignment Table (FIG. 6) and the program waits for the next key. 
     Next, a determination is made whether a mode key has been depressed. If “Yes”, the new mode is set and the program waits for the next key stroke. 
     After that, or if the answer was “No”, a determination is made if one or more keys have been depressed for a valid function sequence. If “No”, the program exits. 
     If “Yes”, the program obtains a device data format and command data corresponding to the function and mode selected and stores this data into a “TO” entry in the Key Reassignment Table which is illustrated in FIG.  6 . 
     Whenever a special key sequence “A-B-C- 9 - 9 - 9 ” is used, the operating program for the remote control device switches to the special function processing, KEY MOVER, program illustrated in FIG. 5, i.e. the “KEY MOVER” program as explained above and as indicated in the special function processing step of FIG.  4  and as further described in connection with the description of the flow chart in FIG.  5 . 
     If a complete definition of the device data format requires more space than is provided for in the Key Reassignment Table shown in FIG. 6, the initial table entry under “DEVICE TYPE” simply may be a pointer to a secondary table, DEVICE DATA TABLE, containing additional information, as shown in FIG.  6 . 
     From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the KEY MOVER program of the present invention provides a number of advantages some of which have been described above and others of which are inherent in the invention. In particular, a dedicated or universal remote control device having the KEY MOVER program therein enables the user of the device to customize his particular device so that his most frequently accessed functions are single key strokes and/or in the most convenient location on the keypad  20 . Also, the method of the present of the present invention, the Key Mover program, and operating keys (A-B-C- 9 - 9 - 9 ) can be modified without departing from the teachings of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is only to be limited as necessitated by the accompanying claims.