Patent Publication Number: US-8531275-B2

Title: Remote control mode on-screen displays and methods for producing the same

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     This disclosure relates generally to remote controls and, more particularly, to remote control mode on-screen displays (OSDs) and methods of producing the same. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many consumer products are designed to be operated remotely, usually by an infrared (IR) or radio frequency (RF) remote control. Many of these products, for example, satellite receivers, televisions, video cassette recorders (VCRs) and digital versatile disc (DVD) players interact with one another but all usually require separate remote controls. Typically, two or more of these products are operated simultaneously, which may create confusion as to which remote control to use for which product. Also, it is cumbersome to maintain multiple remote controls. 
     To alleviate these problems, universal remote controls have been developed recently. A single universal remote control replaces two or more manufacturers&#39; original remote controls. Universal remote controls have various modes and are programmed according to the various products the remote control is used to operate. Universal remote controls typically include keys or buttons that correspond to the various modes of the remote control. Pressing an appropriate button places the remote control in a mode for communicating with one of the associated products or equipment. Commands are then sent from the universal remote control in the form of IR or RF codes that identify the equipment and/or command sent to the desired equipment. 
     Often a user forgets to what mode the universal remote control has been set or the modes that have been programmed into the remote control. In such cases, a user may inadvertently switch the mode of the remote control to a mode that the intended device does not recognize or to a mode on the remote control that is not otherwise programmed. When a remote control has been switched to an unprogrammed mode, the user may press a button on the remote control, expecting to control either a television, a satellite receiver, or other piece of equipment, and nothing will happen. The non-responsiveness of the equipment to the user&#39;s actuation of a button on the remote control results in user frustration and/or confusion. This frustration and confusion further increases the number of service calls logged to satellite or cable signal providers by users attempting to troubleshoot this problem or claiming to have defective equipment. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of an example satellite broadcast system. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of a portion of the example satellite broadcast system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  depicts a flow diagram representation of an example remote control mode on-screen display notification process. 
         FIG. 4  depicts an example on-screen display message that may be used to notify a user of the mode of a remote control. 
         FIG. 5  depicts an example on-screen display message that indicates to what mode the user should switch a remote control. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a flow diagram representation of an example remote control mode configuration process. 
         FIG. 7  depicts an example routing to an example system setup main interface. 
         FIG. 8  depicts an example first remote control setup interface. 
         FIG. 9  depicts another example remote control setup interface. 
         FIG. 10  depicts a third example remote control setup interface. 
         FIG. 11  depicts a fourth example remote control setup interface. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Although the example apparatus and methods described herein include, among other components, software executed on hardware, such apparatus and methods are merely illustrative and should not be considered as limiting. For example, it is contemplated that any or all of the disclosed hardware and software components could be embodied exclusively in dedicated hardware, exclusively in software, exclusively in firmware or in some combination of hardware, firmware, and/or software. 
     The example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture described herein may be used to enable a user of a universal remote control to configure the remote control to one or more of satellite receivers, televisions, VCRs, DVD players or other devices, if desired. Unlike traditional universal remote controls and the systems upon which they operate, the example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture have been described herein create an on-screen display (OSD) to notify the user of the operating mode of a remote control or that the mode of the remote control is unprogrammed. This method supplements, and does not necessarily replace, existing methods, such as indicator lights or switch labels on the remote control. Thus, when the user is attempting to use a remote control in a mode that has not been programmed or switches to a mode of the remote control that is programmed, the user is able to visually see, through the OSDs why the remote control or equipment is seemingly non-responsive or otherwise not operating in an intended manner (if the mode of the remote control is unprogrammed) or which mode the remote control is in (if the mode is programmed). 
     According to an example method, as described herein, a remote control emits several types of codes. The remote control may emit a code for a device that is programmed to operate that device. The remote may also emit a code that is recognized by the set-top box, which indicates that the mode of the remote control is not programmed. And the remote control may emit a code that is recognized by the set-top box that indicates that the mode of the remote control is programmed and what that mode is. One or more of these codes may be emitted by the remote control simultaneously or sequentially. For example, if the remote control is in a mode for a device that has been programmed and the user operates the remote control, the remote control will emit a code to operate the device as well as a code that is recognized by the set-top box indicating that remote control is now in the mode to operate that device. If the remote control is in an unprogrammed mode and the user operates the remote control, the remote control will emit only a code that is recognized by the set-top box indicating that remote control is an unprogrammed mode. The use and functions of these possible codes are described in more detail below. 
     The set-top box gives the user feedback regarding the programming of the universal remote control, via OSDs, as described herein. Through these OSDs the user is informed as to the programming and operation mode of the remote control and given the option to program the remote control in a certain manner if the remote control is not programmed to operate a device the user intends to operate. For example, if the remote control is unprogrammed for a particular device the user wishes to operate, the set-top box displays an OSD on the television, which offers to instruct the user on how to program the remote control. Then the user may select an on-screen button displayed in an OSD and access interface screens that instruct the user regarding the programming of the remote control. The notifications via the OSDs prevent confusion and inform a user, who has an unprogrammed remote control and/or inadvertently switched modes, as to why the remote control no longer seems to function. The subsequent programming of the remote control, as detailed herein, enables the user to solve this problem without having to log a call to a help desk or service center, which decreases the costs associated with operating such service centers for the satellite or cable signal provider. 
     In another example, if the user switches a remote control to a mode that is programmed, the set-top box causes an OSD to be displayed that indicates to the user that the user us now operating the remote control  206  in a certain, programmed mode. 
     The example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture described herein are described in operation with a satellite broadcast system. However, such example is not restrictive. The example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture described herein may be used with any universal remote control and equipment the remote control operates or is intended to operate, regardless of how the system in which the remote control is used is configured or what the system is. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , an example direct-to-home (DTH) system  100  generally includes a transmission station  102 , a satellite/relay  104  and a plurality of receiver stations, one of which is shown at reference numeral  106 , between which wireless communications are exchanged. The wireless communications may take place at any suitable frequency, such as, for example, Ku-band frequencies. As described in detail below with respect to each portion of the system  100 , information from the transmission station  102  is transmitted to the satellite/relay  104 , which may be at least one geosynchronous or geo-stationary satellite that, in turn, rebroadcasts the information over broad geographical areas on the earth that include receiver stations  106 . To facilitate backchannel communications, the receiver stations  106  may be communicatively coupled to the transmission station  102  via a terrestrial communication link, such as a telephone line and/or an Internet connection  136 . 
     In further detail, the example transmission station  102  of the example system of  FIG. 1  includes a plurality of sources of data and/or information (e.g., program sources  108 , a control data source  110 , a data service source  112 , and one or more program guide data sources  114 ). During operation, information from one or more of these sources  108 - 114  passes to an encoder  116 , which encodes the information for broadcast to the satellite/relay  104 . Encoding includes, for example, converting the information into data streams that are multiplexed into a packetized data stream or bitstream using any of a variety of algorithms. A header is attached to each data packet within the packetized data stream to facilitate identification of the contents of the data packet. The header also includes a service channel identifier (SCID) that identifies the data packet. This data packet is then encrypted. As will be readily appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art, a SCID is one particular example of a program identifier (PID). 
     To facilitate the broadcast of information, the encoded information passes from the encoder  116  to an uplink frequency converter  118  that modulates a carrier wave with the encoded information and passes the modulated carrier wave to an uplink antenna  120 , which broadcasts the information to the satellite/relay  104 . Using any of a variety of techniques, the encoded bitstream is modulated and sent through the uplink frequency converter  118 , which converts the modulated encoded bitstream to a frequency band suitable for reception by the satellite/relay  104 . The modulated, encoded bitstream is then routed from the uplink frequency converter  118  to the uplink antenna  120  where it is broadcast toward the satellite/relay  104 . 
     The programming sources  108  receive video and audio programming from a number of sources, including satellites, terrestrial fiber optics, cable, or tape. The video and audio programming may include, but is not limited to, television programming, movies, sporting events, news, music or any other desirable content. 
     Like the programming sources  108 , the control data source  110  passes control data to the encoder  116 . Control data may include data representative of a list of SCIDs to be used during the encoding process, or any other suitable information. 
     The data service source  112  receives data service information and web pages made up of text files, graphics, audio, video, software, etc. Such information may be provided via a network  122 . In practice, the network  122  may be the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) or a conventional public switched telephone network (PSTN). The information received from various sources is compiled by the data service source  112  and provided to the encoder  116 . For example, the data service source  112  may request and receive information from one or more websites  124 . The information from the websites  124  may be related to the program information provided to the encoder  116  by the program sources  108 , thereby providing additional data related to programming content that may be displayed to a user at the receiver station  106 . 
     The program guide data source  114  compiles information related to the SCIDs used by the encoder  116  to encode the data that is broadcast. For example, the program guide data source  114  includes information that the receiver stations  106  use to generate and display a program guide to a person (i.e., a user), wherein the program guide may be a grid guide that informs the user of particular programs that are available on particular channels at particular times. The program guide also includes information that the receiver stations  106  use to assemble programming for display to the user. For example, if the user desires to watch a baseball game on his or her receiver station  106 , the user will tune to a channel on which the game is offered. As described in detail below, the receiver station  106  gathers the SCIDs related to the game, wherein the program guide data source  114  has previously provided to the receiver station  106  a list of SCIDs that correspond to the game. 
     The satellite/relay  104  receives the modulated, encoded Ku-band bitstream and re-broadcasts it downward toward an area on earth that includes the receiver station  106 . In the illustrated example of  FIG. 1 , the example receiver station  106  includes a reception antenna  126  connected to a low-noise-block (LNB)  128  that is further connected to a receiver  130 . As described in conjunction with  FIGS. 2 and 3  below, the receiver  130  may be a set-top box or may be a personal computer (PC) having a receiver card installed therein. A display device  132 , such as, for example, a television set or a computer monitor, is coupled to the receiver  130  for displaying received programming to a user. Additionally, the example receiver station  106  may include a recorder  134  used to record programming received by the receiver station  106 . The recorder  134  may be, for example, a device capable of recording information on media, such as videotape or digital media such as a hard disk drive, a DVD, a compact disk (CD) and/or any other suitable media. 
     Although not necessary for proper operation of the example system of  FIG. 1 , the receiver station  106  may optionally incorporate a connection  136  (e.g., Ethernet circuit or modem for communicating over the Internet) to the network  122  for transmitting requests and other data back to the transmission station  102  (or a device managing the transmission station  102  and overall flow of data in the example system  100 ) and for communicating with websites  124  to obtain information therefrom. 
     In operation of the receiver station  106 , the reception antenna  126  receives signals including a bitstream from the satellite  104 . The signals are coupled from the reception antenna  126  to the LNB  128 , which amplifies and, optionally, downconverts the received signals. The LNB output is then provided to the receiver  130 , which, as described in detail below, receives, depacketizes, demultiplexes and decodes the received signal to provide audio and video signals to the display device  132  and/or the recorder  134 . The receiver  130  is responsive to user inputs to tune to a particular program, by selecting and decoding a particular frequency and the particular SCIDs on which the desired program is located. 
       FIG. 2  depicts the receiver  130  of  FIG. 1  in more detail. Specifically, the receiver  130  includes front-end circuitry  200  in the form of a receiver/decoder circuit, a processor  202 , an entry device  204 , a memory  208 , a recorder interface  210 , and a display device interface  212 . Further, the receiver  130  may be operated remotely by a remote control  206 . 
     In general, the front-end circuitry  200  inside the receiver  130  receives the L-band Radio Frequency (RF) signals from the LNB  128  and converts the signals back into the original digital data stream. The decoding circuitry  200 , receives the original data stream and performs video/audio processing operations such as demultiplexing and decompression. The processor, microprocessor or central processing unit (CPU)  202  controls the overall operation of the receiver  130 , including the selection of parameters, the set-up and control of components, channel selection, and many other functions. 
     The entry device  204  is the port for communication between the receiver, or set-top box,  130  and the remote control  206 . The entry device  204  may be, for example, an IR and/or RF detector adapted to receive communications from the remote control  206 . The entry device  204  senses the operation of the remote control device  206  and relays the signals from the remote control  206  to the processor  202 . 
     The memory  208  that is connected to the processor  202  is used to store information such as, for example, instructions for operation of the processor  202  to perform the processes described herein, tables of programmed special codes for use in the processes, and other proprietary software designed to recognize codes associated with the remote control modes. The type, size and proportion of the memory illustrated in the example receiver  130  may vary. 
     The example receiver  130  also includes a plurality of interfaces such as, for example the recorder interface  210  and the display device interface  212 . The interfaces  210 ,  212  may be used to provide connectivity to one or more peripherals, for example a recorder  134  or a display device  132 . 
     Although the example receiver  130  is shown as having a plurality of components that are interconnected or communicatively coupled with other components, such interconnections are illustrated by way of example and should not be construed as limiting the manner in which the components can be interconnected to the example methods, apparatus, and/or systems described herein. On the contrary, the devices described above in connection with the receiver  130  may be interconnected in any other suitable manner to implement the example methods, apparatus, and/or systems. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a flow diagram representative of an example remote-control-handling process  300 . The process  300  may be, for example, implemented using hardware, software, or firmware executed by the processor  202  or any suitable combination thereof. For instance, the receiver  130  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  may execute the machine readable instructions to implement the operations described below. For example, the process  300  of  FIG. 3  may be embodied in coded instructions stored on a tangible medium such as a flash memory, or RAM associated with the processor  202  and/or the memory  208 . Alternatively, some or all of the operations of the process  300  may be implemented using an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmable logic device (FPLD), discrete logic, hardware, etc. Additionally, some or all of the example machine readable instructions  300  of  FIG. 3  may be implemented using software, firmware, hardware, and/or a combination of hardware and software and/or firmware. Also, some or all of the machine readable instructions  300  of  FIG. 3  may be implemented manually or as combinations of any of the techniques described herein. Further, although the example machine readable instructions  300  of  FIG. 3  are described with reference to the flowchart  300  of  FIG. 3 , persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that many other methods of implementing the example remote control handling process  300  may be employed. For example, the order of execution of the blocks may be changed, and/or some of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated, sub-divided, or combined. 
     When a user activates the remote control  206 , the remote control  206  emits signals that are received by the entry device  204 . When the signals emitted by the remote control  206  are infrared (IR) signals, the entry device  204  is an infrared receiver. Other types of data entry devices may be used such as, for example, an RF receiver for sensing RF signals, a remote keyboard, a remote mouse, a keypad on the receiver  130 , etc. The entry device  204  relays a signal to the processor  202  and the remote-control-handling process  300  begins with the indication that the command has been received (block  302 ). Once a command is received, the processor  202  determines the codes in the command. The processor reads the codes to determine if the codes are for a mode for which the remote control  206  has been programmed (block  304 ). In particular, the remote control  206  sends a code of “operation for programmed device” and “now in X mode” (for the programmed device), the remote control  206  or sends a “not programmed” code. 
     If the detected code has been programmed (block  304 ), the processor  202  instructs the display device interface  212  to present an OSD to the user at the display device  132 . Alternatively, the OSD may be presented to the user on the remote control  206  or at the set-top box  130 , if such display is supported. An example OSD may read “The remote is in AV1 mode” (block  306 ) if the remote is in AV1 mode and the remote has been programmed to operate device programmed at or connected to AV1. This indicates to the user that the user is operating the device programmed at or connected to AV1. Either simultaneously or sequentially, the remote control  206  emits codes for the intended piece of equipment, e.g., the display device  132 , or the intended piece of equipment senses the code emitted from the remote control  206  via an entry port of the intended piece of equipment (not shown). Then, the intended piece of equipment operates according to the instructions (block  310 ) because the remote control  206  has been programmed to operate with the intended piece of equipment. 
     An example situation in which the remote-control-handling process  300  would run through blocks  302 ,  304 ,  306  and  310  is when a user activates a remote control  206  to operate a display device  132  such as, for example, a television. The receiver  130  receives indication that the user had actuated the remote control  206 . The entry device  204  relays the signal from the remove control  206  and the remote-control-handling process  300  begins. The processor  202  receives a command from the entry device  204  (block  302 ). Next, the processor  202  determines if the code of the remote control signal indicates that the remote control  206  is “now in X mode” (i.e., that the remote control  206  has been programmed for that mode) or “not programmed.” After determining that the code from the remote control  206  is for the television  132  and the user has already programmed the receiver  130  and remote control  206  to operate for the specific television  132  indicated, the processor  202  sends a signal to the display device interface  212  to display an OSD on the television  132  indicating that the user is operating the television (block  306 ). Meanwhile, because the remote control  206  has already been programmed to operate the television, the television processes the command (block  310 ) in the manner intended. No further notifications regarding the mode of the remote control  206  will appear on the display while the remote control  206  stays in any one mode. Notifications are only displayed the first time a remote control  206  is operated after a change of modes has occurred. 
     If the user attempts to operate the remote control  206  in a mode that is unprogrammed, the processor  202  will not simply remain idle because the mode is unrecognized. Rather, the remote control  206  emits an “unprogrammed mode” code, which the processor  202  recognizes and which indicates to the processor  202  that an attempt is being made to operate a device via the remote control  206  for which the remote control  206  has not yet been programmed to operate. In other words, an unprogrammed remote control  206  emits a special code that can be recognized by the set-top box  130 . This “unprogrammed code” specifically identifies that the remote control  206  is attempting to operate a device for which the remote control  206  has not yet been programmed. If the processor  202  determines that the remote control  206  is in a mode that is not programmed, the processor  202  will instruct the display device  132  to present an OSD to the user (block  312 ). The OSD would prompt the user to program the remote control  206  to operate in the attempted mode. The OSD may appear on a display device  132 , which may be, for example, a television, a set-top box, a screen on a remote control or any other device that may be used to display information. 
     The process for detecting unprogrammed remote control modes and displaying remote control mode status information and programming instructions may be written and installed by the set-top box manufacturer or the broadcast service provider. New set-top boxes may have this software preinstalled. Existing set-top boxes in the field may be updated with this process via downloads to the box. 
     An example OSD associated with programming the remote control  206  (block  312 ) is shown in  FIG. 4 . The OSD  400  of  FIG. 4  includes a message  402  that prompts the user to program the remote control  206 . In the example OSD  400 , the message  402  may read, “Your remote is set to a mode that is not programmed. Would you like to program your remote for AV1 mode?” Once prompted, the user then decides whether or not programming is desired (block  314 ) by selecting either the “NO” button  404  or the “YES” button  406  from the OSD  400 . Please note that AV1 mode may be any mode such as, for example, AV2, TV or any other mode for any other device connected to the system. 
     If the user selects the “NO” button  404 , the set-top box  130  prompts the user to switch the remote control  206  to a supported mode (block  316 ). In one example, the set-top box  130  does this by presenting another OSD  500  to the display device  132 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . OSD  500  includes a message  502  that prompts the user to switch the mode of the remote control  206 . In the example OSD  500 , the message  502  may read, “Please switch your remote to SAT mode in order to use it.” The message may instruct the user to switch to any of a variety of programmed modes to enable the user to use the remote control  206  to properly operate an intended device. After viewing the message  502 , the user only has the option to select the “OK” button  504 , which exits OSD  500 . Note that in alternative examples, OSD  400  and OSD  500  may be combined into one OSD. The single OSD may read “Your remote is set to a mode that is not programmed. Please program your remote for AV1 mode, or switch the remote to SAT mode.” The buttons on the single screen may be “Program Remote” and “Done.” 
     After the user exits OSD  500  and attempts to use the remote control  206  again, the remote handling process  300  begins anew. If the user followed the directions in the message  502 , the remote handling process executes blocks  302 ,  304 , and  306 . If the user did not switch the remote control  206  into SAT mode, i.e. a programmed mode, the remote-control-handling  300  process continues through until block  312  where OSD  400  is displayed again. 
     If the user selects the “YES” button  406  from OSD  400 , a secondary process  318  begins. The secondary process  318  is performed to configure the remote control  206  to operate in a previously-unprogrammed mode. This process  318  is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 6 . Like the process  300  of  FIG. 3 , the process  318  may be, for example, implemented using hardware, software, or firmware executed by a processor or any suitable combination thereof. For instance, the receiver  130  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  may execute the machine readable instructions to implement the operations described below. For example, the process  318  of  FIG. 6  may be embodied in coded instruction stored on a tangible medium such as a flash memory, or RAM associated with the processor  202  and/or the memory  208 . Alternatively, some or all of the operations of the process  318  may be implemented using an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmable logic device (FPLD), discrete logic, hardware, etc. Additionally, some or all of the example machine readable instructions  318  of  FIG. 6  may be implemented using software, firmware, hardware, and/or a combination of hardware and software and/or firmware. Also, some or all of the machine readable instructions  318  of  FIG. 6  may be implemented manually or as combinations of any of the techniques described herein. Further, although the example machine readable instructions  318  of  FIG. 6  are described with reference to the flowchart  318  of  FIG. 6 , persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that many other methods of implementing the example remote control handling process  318  may be employed. For example, the order of execution of the blocks may be changed, and/or some of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated, sub-divided, or combined. 
     After the user selects to program the remote control  206 , i.e., enter the configure-remote-to-operate-in-previously-unprogrammed-mode process  318 , the processor routes the user to the Remote Control Setup screen  800  as shown in  FIG. 8 , which is discussed in more detail below. 
     Alternatively, the user may enter the System Setup screen  700  as shown in  FIG. 7 , without going through the OSD  400 . In the System Setup screen  700 , the bottom portion  702  of the System Setup screen  700  shows the system status of various associated settings in the set-top box  130 . The top portion  704  of the System Setup screen  700  contains instructions and/or other useful information for the user (shown by the variables “Nnnnnn . . . ”). While viewing the System Setup screen  700 , the user selects a function from the panel  706  (block  602 ). 
     If the user chooses the “Done” tab or menu item  708  from the System Setup screen  700 , the process  318  is brought to an end (block  604 ). The System Setup screen  700  is then withdrawn from the display device  132 . 
     If the user chooses the “Remote” menu item  710 , the System Setup screen  700  changes to the Remote Control Setup screen  800 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . Alternatively, as mentioned above, and preferably, once the user selects the “YES” button  406  from OSD  400 , the user is brought directly to the Remote Control Setup screen  800 . The top portion  802  of the screen  800  includes instructions and/or other information for the user. Toward the bottom of the screen  800 , a series of tabs or buttons  804  appears, which the user can use to program the remote control  206  or choose to reset the remote control  206  (block  606 ). If the user selects the “Reset Remote” button  806 , the set-top box  130  displays instructions telling the user how to reset the remote control  206 . Once the user follows the instructions, the remote control  206  is cleared (block  608 ). The Remote Control Setup screen  800  is then withdrawn from the display device  132 . 
     Similar to the options in the System Setup screen  700 , if the user chooses the “Done” menu item  708  from the Remote Control Setup screen  800 , the process  318  is brought to an end (block  604 ). The Remote Control Setup screen  800  is then withdrawn from the display device  132 . 
     Alternatively, the user may select the “AV1” button  808 , “AV2” button  810 , “TV” button  812  or any other button that may appear on the screen  800  to program the remote control  206 . Upon selection of the “AV1” button  808 , “AV2” button  810 , “TV” button  812 , etc., the user is next prompted to choose the type of product the user desires to program (block  610 ). A Device Selection screen  900  appears as a visual depiction of block  610  (See  FIGS. 9 and 10 ). The Device Selection screen  900  includes instructions and/or other information  902  for the user that prompt the selection of the type of product (block  610 ), as shown on the left side of the screen in the Product box  904 . After selecting a type of product (e.g., a DVD player, a stereo, a VCR, a receiver, or a TV, etc.), the user is then prompted to select a brand (block  612 ). The prompt for brand selection (block  612 ) also appears in Device Selection screen  900  in the Brand box  906  on the right. Note that the instructions  902  may change within a screen. For example, the instructions  902  of  FIG. 9  may differ from the instructions  902  of  FIG. 10 . After the user selects the brand, the processor  202  has enough information to display instructions  1102  ( FIG. 11 ) for programming the chosen brand of the chosen device (block  614 ). 
     The instructions  1102  are displayed in a Brand Codes screen  1100 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . The instructions  1102  tell the user how to program the code for the desired mode of the remote control  206  to enable future recognition of the code by the processor  202  so the remote control  206  will operate the intended device. Upon completion of the instructions  1102 , the user may select the “Continue” button  1104  (block  616 ), at which point the Brand Codes screen  1100  is replaced with the Remote Control Setup screen  800 . Here, the user can select to reenter the configure-remote-to-operate-a-previously-unprogrammed-mode process  318  by selecting the “AV1” button  808 , “AV2” button  810  or “TV” button  812 , or the user may choose to exit the set-up by selecting the “Done” menu item  708 . Also, the user may enter any other area of system set-up by choosing any of the menu items in the panel  706 . 
     As an alternative to completing the instructions  1102  displayed in a Brand Codes screen  1100 , the user may select the “Code Search” button  1106  (block  616 ). Selecting the “Code Search” button  1106  brings the user into another process  618  which performs an alternative method for finding the proper code for the remote control  206  mode. 
     Although certain example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.