Abstract:
A mobile device is bonded to a controllable device by reading a code on the controllable device, banding the mobile device to the controllable device by use of the code, and transmitting a remote control signal from the mobile device to control a controllable function of the bonded controllable device so that only the bonded controllable device responds to the remote control signal by performing the controllable function.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The method and/or apparatus disclosed herein relates to a mobile device, having both a camera and connectivity, configured so that the mobile device can be used as a remote control for singularly controlling a receiver, such as television. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Application programs (referred to below more simply as application(s)) for cell phones such as smartphones are now available that allow users to use their cell phones as remote controls for remotely controlling televisions, personal computers, and other devices. A cell phone configured as a remote control by such an application can be used to change channels, adjust volume, transfer data such as video from the cell phone to the television or from the television to the cell phone, to remotely program a DVR, to remotely control selected software on a PC, to remotely shutdown a PC, etc. In one form, these applications permit the display of the cell phone to emulate the buttons of a more conventional remote control. 
         [0003]    Also, QR (Quick Response) Codes are now in use. A QR Code is a specific matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code), readable by dedicated QR Code readers and mobile devices, such as cell phones, with cameras. A QR Code typically consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded can be text, a URL, or other data. 
         [0004]    QR codes are currently used in connection with television in a way that makes the relationship between viewer and television interactive. For example, QR codes are currently used in television programming, allowing users to read the codes with their cell phones and, using the information encoded in the code, connect through the Internet to web sites for accessing additional information. Thus, inter alia, the user can access a supplier&#39;s website based on a QR code embedded in advertising carried in television ads or other programming. 
         [0005]    QR Codes are also being used to uniquely identify individual televisions so that each television in a facility such as a hotel or motel can be distinguished by its QR Code from all other televisions in the facility. 
         [0006]    Disclosed herein is a novel bonding between a camera based mobile device having connectivity and a receiver, such as a television, using a code, such as a QR Code, uniquely identifying that receiver. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a system in which a cell phone uniquely interacts with a television; and, 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates an application uniquely and individually bonding the cell phone to the television. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a mobile device  10 , such as a smartphone or other wireless phone, is capable of executing applications, and includes camera  12  that can read a code  14 , such as a QR code, on a receiver  16 . The mobile device  10  also has connectivity so that it can make calls, or connect to the Internet, or other transmit wireless or wired signals. The receiver  16 , for example, may be a television. The code  14  includes an address uniquely identifying the receiver  16  and is displayed such as on the chassis of the receiver  16 , or on an initial screen of the receiver  16  at turn on in the case where the receiver  16  is a television, or in a transmission from the receiver  16 , or etc. 
         [0010]    The mobile device  10  includes one of the existing remote control applications  18 , such as a remote control television application, allowing the mobile device  10  to remotely control the receiver  16 . Accordingly, the mobile device  10  transmits signals that remotely control the receiver  16  in the same or similar fashion as existing remote controls control televisions. These signals can be RF wireless signals, IR wireless signals, wired signals, etc. In the case of wired signals, the wired signals can go to a central office  20  first and then from the central office  20  back to the television  16 . Other variations are possible. 
         [0011]    Because the receiver  16  is provided with the code  14 , the mobile device  10  can be uniquely bonded to the receiver  16  so that only the receiver  16  and no other receiver responds to the remote control signals transmitted by the mobile device  10 . In order to bond the mobile device  10  to the receiver  16 , an application  30  represented by the flow chart of  FIG. 2  is loaded into the mobile device  10 . 
         [0012]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , when the user selects the application  30 , the user starts the bonding process by invoking the camera at  32  so as to acquire an image at  34  of the code  14  from the receiver  16 . The application  30  then determines at  36  whether the mobile device  10  has the remote control application  18 . If the cell phone  10  does not already have the remote control application  18  among its stored and executable applications, the application  30  at  38  acquires the remote control application  18 , such as by connecting to the Internet and downloading the remote control application  18  to the mobile device  10 . 
         [0013]    After the application  30  at  38  acquires the remote control application  18 , or if the mobile device  10  already has the remote control application  18  as determined at  36 , the application  30  at  40  bonds the mobile device  10  to the receiver  16  so that only the receiver  16  and no other receiver responds to remote control signals from the mobile device  10 . 
         [0014]    Thus, at  40 , the application  20  decodes the code  14  in order to determine the address of the receiver  16 , and modifies the remote control application  18 , which it acquired at  38  or which it determined at  36  to be already resident on the mobile device  10 , so that all future remote control communications from the mobile device  10  to the receiver  16  includes the address of the receiver  16 . 
         [0015]    In this way, the receiver  16  determines whether any remote control communications that it receives contain its address. The receiver  16  responds to those remote control communications that contain its address and ignores all other remote control communications. Thus, the mobile device  10  may be used to remotely control the receiver  16  to which it has bonded but does not remotely control other receivers that happen to be within transmission range of its remote control communications. 
         [0016]    This bonding is especially useful in facilities such as hotels and motels having a number of remotely controlled televisions in relatively close proximity. 
         [0017]    Certain modifications of the present invention have been discussed above. Other modifications will occur to those practicing in the art of the present invention. For example, the term “mobile device” is used herein to connote any device that can read a code from a receiver such as a television, has connectivity to other devices, that has a camera, and that can execute applications. 
         [0018]    Also, as described above, the code  14  can be a QR Code. However, the bar code can be other types of codes such as a more traditional bar code. 
         [0019]    Further, as described above, the mobile device  10  is bonded to the receiver  16  which is a television as shown. However, the mobile device  10  may be bonded to other devices such as computers. 
         [0020]    Moreover, as described above, the applications  18  and  30  are separate applications. Instead, the applications  18  and  30  may be the same application. 
         [0021]    Accordingly, the description of the present invention is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. The details may be varied substantially without departing from the spirit of the invention, and the exclusive use of all modifications which are within the scope of the appended claims is reserved.