Patent ID: 7042366

Claim:
Apparatus other than audio-video equipment, comprising: a photo-detector adapted to receive infra-red radiation and generate an output signal, a memory simultaneously storing a plurality of records that individually contain characteristics of a different one of a plurality of infra-red signal pattern protocols emitted by a plurality of different types of remote controls of audio-video equipment, the individual records additionally including a link within the record of one or more signal patterns emitted by one of the remote controls with at least one specific function, a signal decoder connected to receive the photo-detector output and to first identify a match between the signal pattern protocols of one of the stored records and then to identify a match between a pattern of the output signal and one of the signal patterns stored in the identified record for generating a control signal corresponding to the specific function to which the matched signal pattern is linked within the identified record, and a component of said apparatus other than audio-video equipment connected to receive the control signal and perform the specific function.