Abstract:
A remote control is configured to control a multimedia appliance and to be communicatively coupled to a remote server via a network. The remote server is configured to provides information to the remote control via the network. The remote control includes a transmitter configured to send commands to the multimedia appliance. The remote control further includes a memory configured to store information provided by the remote server. The remote control further includes a controller configured to synchronize information with the remote server to obtain current information on an irregular basis from the remote server to thereby obtain information that degrades partially over time.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/839,970, filed May 5, 2004; which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/804,623, filed Mar. 12, 2001; which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/189,487, filed Mar. 15, 2000. The disclosures of Ser. Nos. 10/839,970, 09/804,623 and 60/189,487 are herein incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to universal remote control devices and more specifically it relates to an online remote control configuration system for efficiently programming a remote control to control a plurality of external electronic devices. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     Remote control devices have been in use for years. Remote control devices are utilized to operate various external electronic devices including but not limited to televisions, stereos, receivers, VCRs, DVD players, CD players, amplifiers, equalizers, tape players, cable units, lighting, window shades and other electronic devices. A conventional remote control is typically comprised of a housing structure, a keypad within the housing structure for entering commands by the user, electronic circuitry within the housing structure connected to the keypad, and a transmitter electrically connected to the electronic circuitry for transmitting a control signal to an electronic device to be operated. 
     The user depresses one or more buttons upon the keypad when a desired operation of a specific electronic device is desired. For example, if the user desires to turn the power off to a VCR, the user will depress the power button upon the remote control which transmits a “power off” control signal that is detected by the VCR resulting in the VCR turning off. 
     Because of the multiple electronic devices currently available within many homes and businesses today, a relatively new type of remote control is utilized to allow for the control of a plurality of electronic devices commonly referred to as a “universal remote control.” Most universal remote controls have “selector buttons” that are associated with the specific electronic device to be controlled by the remote control (e.g. television, VCR, DVD player, etc.). Universal remote control devices allow for the control of a plurality of external electronic devices with a single remote control thereby eliminating the need to have a plurality of remote controls physically present within a room. 
     Conventional universal remote controls are typically programmed using two methods: (1) entering an “identifier code” directly into the remote control, or (2) sampling the control signal transmitted by another remote control device. Neither method of programming a universal remote control is efficient and causes many consumers to either not purchase a universal remote control or abandon the usage of an already purchased remote control. 
     Entering identifier codes into a remote control can be time consuming and difficult for many users. If the user loses the “code book” that comes with the universal remote control they are often times left with a useless universal remote control that they are unable to reprogram. Often times a consumer is given 4-8 different “possible” identifier codes for a particular brand of electronic device thereby requiring the user to, through trial and error, determine the correct identifier code. Sometimes an individual believes they have entered the proper identifier code since one or two of the commands on the keypad work only to find out later that one or more commands do not work with the electronic device since the proper identifier code was not entered. 
     Also, sampling of control signals is very time consuming and difficult to ensure proper sampling. An individual must expend significant amounts of time sampling infrared signals from another remote control and “saving” these signals within the universal remote control thereafter assigning the particular signal to a button on the keypad. This is very labor intensive and the results are only as stable as the infrared code sampled. 
     There are many problems with conventional universal remote controls. For example, many universal remote controls have a plurality of buttons wherein many are never utilized since the manufacturer attempts to have physical buttons for each possible command of each possible electronic device. Another problem conventional universal remote controls is that the electronic components within these devices is relatively complex and expensive to manufacture resulting in an increased cost to the consumer. 
     While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for efficiently programming a remote control to recognize a plurality of external electronic devices. Conventional universal remote control devices do not allow for easy and quick programming thereof. In addition, conventional universal remote controls are not always properly programmed thereby causing consumer dissatisfaction. 
     In these respects, the online remote control configuration system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of efficiently programming a remote control to recognize a plurality of external electronic devices. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of universal remote controls now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new online remote control configuration system construction wherein the same can be utilized for efficiently programming a remote control to recognize a plurality of external electronic devices. 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new online remote control configuration system that has many of the advantages of the universal remote control devices mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new online remote control configuration system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art remote controls, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a remote control having a housing, a keypad, and an electronic system for receiving configuration data from a control station via a global computer network (e.g. Internet). The user preferably “samples” one or more signals from a remote control into the electronic system and then uploads the samples to the control station. The control station analyzes the uploaded samples and transmits the appropriate configuration data to properly configure the electronic system. The user may also access a web site of the control station and manually select each of the external electronic devices that the remote control is to operate after which the control station sends the appropriate configuration data to the electronic system. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide an online remote control configuration system that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices. 
     A second object is to provide an online remote control configuration system for efficiently programming a remote control to recognize a plurality of external electronic devices. 
     Another object is to provide an online remote control configuration system that allows for a simple electronic configuration. 
     An additional object is to provide an online remote control configuration system that does not require a universal remote control to store hundreds of different signal codes that are never utilized. 
     A further object is to provide an online remote control configuration system that allows an individual to quickly configure a universal remote control. 
     A further object is to provide an online remote control configuration system that is able to upload a relatively complex configuration (e.g. “watch television”) than is currently possible with current universals. 
     A further object is to provide an online remote control configuration system that allows customization of a remote control but for the specific system in which they are interconnected (e.g. so that they are effectively a system). 
     A further object is to provide an online remote control configuration system that can be configured to how the user desires to utilize electronic devices. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an upper perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the present invention illustrating electronic circuitry within. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating the communications between the present invention and a plurality of external electronic devices. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating the electronic system of the present invention electrically connected to the power source and in communication with the external electronic devices. 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating the electronic system along with a plurality of accessory devices connected to thereof. 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram of the present invention in communication with the control station via a global computer network wherein the electronic system is directly connected to an intermediary computer system. 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram of the present invention in communication with the control station directly via a global computer network without utilizing an intermediary computer system. 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating the overall operation of the present invention from sampling the signal code of each remote control to downloading the configuration data. 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating the functionality within the control station for identifying each electronic device. 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating the usage of a web page to allow a user to directly enter the identity of each electronic device into the control station. 
         FIG. 12  is an illustration of a web page for entering electronic device information into. 
         FIG. 13  is an illustration of a web page displaying the connection of external electronic devices. 
         FIG. 14  is an illustration of a web page displaying the selection of channels to include and exclude from the electronic system configuration. 
         FIG. 15  is an illustration of a web page showing the key mappings upon the keypad as configured. 
         FIG. 16  is an illustration of a web page showing the setup of various tasks such as “Watch Television” and “Watch DVD.” 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 
     The data structures and code described in this detailed description are typically stored on a computer readable storage medium, which may be any device or medium that can store code and/or data for use by a computer system. This includes, but is not limited to, magnetic and optical storage devices such as disk drives, magnetic tape, CDs (compact discs) and DVDs (digital video discs), and computer instruction signals embodied in a transmission medium (with or without a carrier wave upon which the signals are modulated). For example, the transmission medium may include a communications network, such as but not limited to the Internet or wireless communications. 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1 through 16  illustrate an online remote control configuration system  10 , which comprises a remote control having a housing, a keypad, and an electronic system for receiving configuration data from a control station via a global computer network (e.g. Internet). The user preferably “samples” one or more signals from a remote control into the electronic system and then uploads the samples to the control station. The control station analyzes the uploaded samples and transmits the appropriate configuration data to properly configure the electronic system. The user may also access a web site of the control station and manually select each of the external electronic devices that the remote control is to operate after which the control station sends the appropriate configuration data to the electronic system. The user can also specify how the devices are connected and the configuration can be transferred to the electronic system  100  from the control station  40 . 
     A. Remote Control Structure 
     The present invention generally is comprised of a housing  20  having a structure and shape similar to conventional remote control devices. The housing  20  may be constructed of various types of materials and shapes as can be appreciated by one skilled in the art. The housing is preferably structured to be ergonomic for a majority of users. 
     The present invention may be utilized to control and operate various external electronic devices including but not limited to televisions, stereos, receivers, VCRs, DVD players, CD players, amplifiers, equalizers, tape players, cable units, satellite dish receivers, lighting, window shades and other electronic devices. Almost any number of external electronic devices may be controlled by the present invention as can be accomplished with conventional remote control devices. 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram of an exemplary electronic system  100  for practicing the various aspects of the present invention. The electronic system  100  is preferably enclosed within the housing. A portable power source  140  is electrically connected to the electronic system  100  for providing electrical power to the electronic system  100 . The power source  140  may be comprised of any power source such as a battery structure (disposable or rechargeable), solar cells, or direct power. 
     The electronic system  100  preferably includes a display screen  104 , a network interface  112 , a keypad  114 , a microprocessor  116 , a memory bus  118 , random access memory (RAM)  120 , a speaker  102 , read only memory (ROM)  122 , a peripheral bus  124 , a keypad controller  126 , and a communications device  108 . As can be appreciated, the electronic system  100  of the present invention may be comprised of any combination of well-known computer devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptop computers, remote control devices and other electronic systems. 
     The microprocessor  116  is a general-purpose digital processor that controls the operation of the electronic system  100 . Microprocessor  116  can be a single-chip processor or implemented with multiple components. Using instructions retrieved from memory, microprocessor  116  controls the reception and manipulations of input data and the output and display of data on output devices. 
     The memory bus  118  is utilized by microprocessor  116  to access RAM  120  and ROM  122 . RAM  120  is used by microprocessor  116  as a general storage area and as scratch-pad memory, and can also be used to store input data and processed data. ROM  122  can be used to store instructions or program code followed by microprocessor  116  as well as other data. 
     Peripheral bus  124  is used to access the input, output and storage devices used by the electronic system  100 . In the described embodiment(s), these devices include a display screen  104 , an accessory device  106 , a speaker  102 , a communications device  108 , and a network interface  112 . A keypad controller  126  is used to receive input from the keypad  114  and send decoded symbols for each pressed key to microprocessor  116  over bus  128 . 
     The display screen  104  is an output device that displays images of data provided by the microprocessor  116  via the peripheral bus  124  or provided by other components in the electronic system  100 . Other output devices such as a printer, plotter, typesetter, etc. can be utilized as an accessory device  106 . 
     The microprocessor  116  together with an operating system operate to execute computer code and produce and use data. The computer code and data may reside on RAM  120 , ROM  122 , or other storage mediums. The computer code and data could also reside on a removable program medium and loaded or installed onto the electronic system  100  when needed. Removable program mediums include, for example, PC-CARD, flash memory, and floppy disk. 
     The network interface  112  is utilized to send and receive data over a network connected to other electronic systems. The network interface may also be comprised of a Universal Serial Bus (USB), an external bus standard that supports data transfer rates of 12 Mbps (12 million bits per second). A single USB port can be used to connect up to 127 peripheral devices, such as mice, modems, and keyboards. An interface card or similar device and appropriate software implemented by microprocessor  116  can be utilized to connect the electronic system  100  to an existing network and transfer data according to standard protocols including data over a global computer network such as the Internet. The electronic system  100  may connect to the Internet  130  via a computer system  60  or directly as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8  respectively. 
     The keypad  114  is used by a user to input commands and other instructions to the electronic system  100 . Other types of user input devices can also be used in conjunction with the present invention. For example, pointing devices such as a computer mouse, a jog switch  22 , a track ball, a stylus, or a tablet to manipulate a pointer on a screen of the electronic system  100 . 
     The present invention can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data which can be thereafter be read by a electronic system. Examples of the computer readable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory, magnetic data storage devices such as diskettes, and optical data storage devices such as CD-ROMs. The computer readable medium can also be distributed over a network coupled electronic systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. 
     The communications device  108  may be comprised of any well-known communication system that allows communications with external electronic devices. The communications device  108  may provide for various types of communication such as but not limited to via infrared (IR), wireless (e.g. BLUETOOTH), unidirectional, bi-directional, radio frequency (RF), visible light, ultrasonic and various other means for communicating with external electronic devices. The communications device  108  is capable of receiving a “signal sample” from another remote control wherein the signal sample is stored within the electronic system. 
     Input into the electronic system is accomplished mainly through the usage of the keypad  114 . The keypad  114  includes a plurality of buttons that allow the user to execute one or more commands. The keypad  114  allows for the control of basic functions such as volume, channel manipulation, mute, and last channel. Various other input devices may be utilized to input data into the electronic system  100  such as a jog switch  22  (e.g. dial), motion and orientation detectors, touch sensitive screens and voice recognition. The display  104  provides information to the user such as possible tasks to complete or the current state of the external electronic devices. 
     B. Communication System 
     The present invention is best operated upon a global computer network such as the Internet  130 . A plurality of computer systems around the world are in communication with one another via this global computer network. 
     The present invention preferably utilizes the Internet  130  for communications, however it can be appreciated that as future technologies are created that various aspects of the invention may be practiced with these improved technologies. In addition, wireless technologies provide a suitable communications medium for operating the present invention. 
     C. Web Page 
     The present invention is preferably utilized in conjunction with information presented upon a web page or other displayable medium representing the control station  40 . A web page is typically comprised of a web page code that is stored upon a computer server. A typical web page includes textual, graphical and audio data within for display upon a computer system  60  and may be comprised of various formats. 
     The web page code may be formatted such as but not limited to HTML (Hyper-Text Markup Language), XML (Extensible Markup Language), HDML (Handheld Device Markup Language), and WML (Wireless Markup Language) that is displayable upon a computer system. Scripts such as JavaScript may be included within the web page code to request the server computer to request a specific audio file to be played with respect to an advertisement. As can be appreciated, additional formats for the web page code may be utilized as developed. 
     The web page code is retrieved by a computer system  60  or electronic system  100  via the Internet, wireless network or other communications channel utilizing a conventional web browser such as but not limited to NETSCAPE or MICROSOFT INTERNET EXPLORER. An individual using the computer system  60  enters the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) identifying the web page to retrieve the web page code associated with the desired web page. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12  of the drawings, at least one of the web pages associated with the control station  40  allows for the direct entry of the device identification. More particularly, information relating to the type, brand and model of the device are preferably entered into the web page that are thereafter forwarded to the control station  40  for determination of the configuration data. Various other designs of web pages may be utilized to receive the device data as can be appreciated by one skilled in the art.  FIG. 13  discloses a direct entry of the device connections. The device connections can be specified/represented graphically, through dropdown lists or other configurations. 
     D. Control Station 
     The control station  40  is in communication with the Internet  130  via various well-known means. The control station  40  is preferably accessed by users via a web page which allows the users to identify themselves and modify user settings. The user may input various conditions and requirements regarding the external electronic devices  12  that the remote control is to control. The user settings may be modified at anytime via the web page or other means. 
     The control station  40  is in communication with one or more programming stations  50  that provide updated electronic device information to the control station  40 . The electronic device information is basically comprised of product information, type, brand, model, year, communication type, and signal configuration data. It can be appreciated that additional types of electronic device information may be received and stored by the control station  40 . 
     The control station  40  maintains a database that allows for the determination of an electronic device by one or more signal samples from the corresponding remote control. The control station maintains a database that allows for the determination of what inputs and outputs are on the electronic devices  12 , and the mechanism for transferring between states. The control station  40  is preferably updated at periodic intervals regarding updated information regarding new electronic devices on the market. 
     The remote control is a very flexible device that me be used to provide many types of information to the user. The process of control station  40  updating the remote control with the most recent information is sometimes referred to herein as “synchronizing.” During the synchronization process (which may be controlled by control station  40 ) data and codes stored on the remote control may be altered to allow the device to provide updated information to the user. 
     Data and codes that may be synchronized with the remote control may include data and codes for a current television schedule. According to one embodiment, synchronization of the remote control with the control station may occur on a regular basis (e.g., daily, hourly, etc.) or on irregular basis. The provided information may then degrade over time. For example, if the remote control is synchronized on a Monday, the remote control may be updated to include detailed programming information (e.g., a television schedule) for all shows (e.g., television shows) for the coming week. For the week that follows, however, the detailed programming information might only include information for recurring shows. For example, if the user users the remote control for controlling a television for viewing a television show “A”, but the remote control has not been synchronized in the last two months, the remote control may contain general information for television show “A” playing on Sunday at 6 pm on a given channel, say channel 2. However, the information for show “A” playing Sunday at 6 pm on channels  2 , will not include information that is specific for the particular episode of show “A,” such as the title for the specific episode of the show. 
     E. Sampling Mode 
     The preferred method of operating the present invention is to “sample” the signal emitted from a remote control corresponding to the electronic device  12  to be controlled. Prior to sampling the signal, the user may select a “sample button” which will place the electronic system in “sample mode” for receiving one or more sample signals per remote control. Signal sampling has been performed within the remote control industry for years and is well known to those skilled in the art particularly with infrared signal sampling. No further discussion of signal sampling is required as the same is readily apparent in the art. 
     Prior to sampling the signal, the user positions the communication device  108  of the electronic system  100  in a location to detect and receive the signal from the remote control. Though not required, the user typically will select a button on the keypad  114  identifying the button they plan to press on the remote control prior to depressing. For example, if the user is going to sample the “power on/off signal” from the remote control, the user would select the “power button” or other appropriate button on the keypad  114  during sampling mode. 
     After identifying to the electronic system  100  what button on the remote control will be depressed, the user then depresses the desired button on the remote control thereby transmitting the signal to the communication device  108  which receives the signal as shown in  FIG. 9  of the drawings. The signal is then converted and forwarded by the communication device  108  to the memory  120  of the electronic system  100  for storage. It can be appreciated that if the electronic system  100  is connected to the global computer network  130  that the sample signals do not need to be stored within the electronic system  100 . Additional samples may be taken from the remote control or another remote control may be sampled. 
     F. Uploading Sampled Signals 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10  of the drawings, after the desired signals have been sampled the user connects the electronic system  100  to the Internet via the network interface  112 , the communication device  108  or other means. The electronic system  100  may be directly or indirectly connected to the Internet as shown in the figures. The user then uploads the “sample data” to the control station  40 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10  of the drawings, the control station  40  analyzes the sample data to determine the type, brand and model of each of the electronic devices  12  that are controlled by the corresponding sampled signal. Once the control station  40  has determined what the type, brand and model of each of the electronic devices  12  is, the control station  40  then generates “configuration data” that is then downloaded to the electronic system  100 . The configuration data configures the electronic system so that it is able to control all of the external electronic devices  12  as a universal remote control would. The user then utilizes the programmed remote control similar to a universal remote control. It is noted that the control system may prompt the user for additional information that may be utilized to create a personalized configuration. 
     G. Direct Configuration 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12  of the drawings, the user may avoid sampling the signal from each of the remote controls and instead directly enter product information into the web page of the control station  40 . The user preferably enters relevant product information such as but not limited to device type (e.g. VCR, television, DVD player, etc.), brand (e.g. SONY, TOSHIBA, etc.), and model. 
     Once the all of the device information has been entered for each of the electronic devices  12 , the user then connects the electronic system  100  to the Internet via the network interface  112 , the communication device  108  or other means. The electronic system  100  may be directly or indirectly connected to the Internet as shown in the figures. 
     Once the control station  40  has determined what the type, brand and model of each of the electronic devices  12  is, the control station  40  then generates “configuration data” that is then downloaded to the electronic system  100 . The configuration data configures the electronic system so that it is able to control all of the external electronic devices  12  as a universal remote control would. The user then utilizes the programmed remote control similar to a universal remote control. 
     As electronic devices are added to or removed from the user&#39;s electronic system, they can update their device information at the control station  40  via the usage of an uploaded signal sample or directly through the web page. The user is able to utilize the remote control as a conventional remote for all of their electronic devices  12  without interruption. 
     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed to be within the expertise of those skilled in the art, and all equivalent structural variations and relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.